RONNIE WHELAN was staying silent yesterday amid reports that his 19-month reign as manager of the troubled English First Division club, Southend United, could be finished today.
An announcement on Whelan's future is expected after he has met with the club directors this morning. On the agenda is the possibility of further sanctions following his brush with match officials during the club's recent 3-0 defeat by Manchester City.
The Irishman, who was suspended by the club earlier in the week, learned yesterday that he is now to be charged with misconduct by the English Football Association.
Together with his assistant Theo Foley, another Dubliner Whelan was ordered from the dug out by referee Graham Laws during his club's recent 3-0 defeat to Manchester City when he was incensed by a challenge from City's Georgi Kinkladze on Phil Gridelet. Foley, who was dismissed by the club this week is also facing an FA misconduct charge.
Whelan is contracted to the club for another 17 months and to that extent, he is unlikely to leave voluntarily. But Southend's directors, in the mood for change after the team's disturbing rate of decline this season, may view the whole episode as a convenient means of terminating the partnership. But if they do, they managed to conceal their feelings yesterday.
Whelan, a former captain of the Republic of Ireland team, was viewed as a possible future manager of the national squad after being seen to turn Southend's fortunes around last season when they attained their highest ever placing in the division.
A shortage of capital to invest in the transfer market prevented him building on that promising start, however, and this season, they have consistently struggled in championship and knock-out competition.
. Despite trailing Derry by seven points in the championship race, it is Shelbourne whose players have been most widely honoured in the National League panel for the game against an English semi-professional side which is due to take place in Richmond Park on February 25th.
Seven members of the panel of 16 are drawn from Damien Richardson's team, compared to just two each from the current league leaders Derry, last year's champions St Patrick's Athletic and third-placed side Bohemians.
Tony Sheridan is included in the squad as a striker, rather than in the midfield role he occupies at club level. Shelbourne's Greg Costello Mark Rutherford and Stephen Geoghegan also feature.
Colm Tresson of Drogheda is the only player from the First Division to make the panel, while Cork City's Ollie Cahill is one of only four players based outside Dublin to be included.
