Brendan Menton, the general secretary of the Football Association of Ireland, tonight tendered his resignation following the publication of the Genesis report into the role of the FAI during the World Cup finals.
The former public relations executive has borne the brunt of the backlash from the report which is scathingly crictical of the FAI's preparations for, and handling of, affairs during Ireland's World Cup campaign in Japan and Korea this summer, not least the circumstances surrounding the whole Roy Keane affair.
Menton, who took over from previous incumbent Bernard O'Byrne in December 2000, said he was stepping down as the "timing was opportune." He said his decision was not a sudden one and indicated he would be taking up another, yet undefined, role in the association.
"My wish is to stay working in football," explained Menton, "but in the interim the important thing for this association is the process for change commences immediately."
Menton admitted that a number of fundamental problems associated with the FAI and football in Ireland were "not just about Saipan." He said the issues impacting negatively on the FAI had "spanned a long period of time."
The Genesis report, put together at a cost of €32,000, criticised the FAI's overall planning for an event the size and scale of the World Cup, deeming it "inadequate". The report lambasted the FAI for their lack of basic management discipline and stated the manner in which the association dealt with the Roy Keane / Mick McCarthy debacle in Saipan "left a lot to be desired."
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| Alistair Gray of Genesis who carried out the review into the involvement of The FAI in World Cup (© Inpho) |
The review, commissioned by the FAI, was chaired by Maurice O'Connell - the former Governor of the Central Bank of Ireland - with the assistance of the Glasgow based sports management consultants Genesis.
It criticised the FAI for their failure to govern and manage the association despite its significant change over the last decade and urged reform of the existing Board of Management.
Consequently, the FAI, in light of Menton's resignation, are to appoint a Chief Executive to the board. FAI Treasurer John Delaney confirmed tonight that the association would "hope to have the position filled within three months." Both Delaney and Menton ruled themselves out of contention.
In its recommendations, Genesis said the FAI should improve its performance by accepting the need for change in the way they operate. Refined travel arrangements, improved treatment of players and the "enhancement of management practices, processes and procedures" would go along way to developing the workings of the association, it said.
The FAI were advised to set objectives for success over the next eight years. The report suggested a new beginning is open to the FAI despite the crises in the Far East, if it "wishes to grasp that opportunity."
Genesis, who interviewed 14 of the 23 members of the Irish World Cup playing squad, and six Premiership managers to compile the report, recommended the FAI adopt a three-step action plan to improve its reputation and status. It suggested implementing and meeting targets in staggered phases during the next year.
Within the next three months, the report advised the FAI to "openly accept a need for greater professionalism and change." The importance of players and coaches must remain the first priority. Within six months, it urged the FAI to prepare an International Performance Plan for the next four to eight years.
Genesis concluded by saying that "if the FAI is serious about competing in the world class of 21st century football, its needs to modernise and professionalise to reflect the needs of 21st century sport."
Menton welcomed the report and said its findings had "exceeded his expectations." He confirmed there was a urgent need for the association to have a "period of stability within which we can implement the most radical change in its history." He hoped that the future of Irish football "would be a bright one."
FAI president Milo Corcoran said: "We need a fresh start." He gave assurances the association would have the commitment to put the report into operation. The FAI will meet on November 29th to discuss the implementation of the report.
"It is a shock to us but we have a lot to learn," said Corcoran. "We will commit that report into action. Costs don't come into it. We will put the football first."