1996/99
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FAI MISS OPPORTUNITY BY OVERLOOKING FOLK HERO
Soccer
8 April 1998
Bonnar does not hide his disappointment over job
INTERVIEW : By Tom Kelly
Packie Bonnar, one of Irish football's folk heroes, has acknowledged his disappointment at missing out on the job as the Football Association of Ireland's national coach.
The former international was overlooked for the post because he was considered not to possess the necessary qualifications. The position went to the ex-Northern Ireland manager Bryan Hamilton who sensationally turned it down to concentrate on his work at Ipswich Town.
The FAI post remains vacant however, but Bonnar is not confident of getting the call from Merrion Square.
He stated: "You are putting me in a bit of an awkward position by asking this question. It is really a question that should be addressed to the FAI
"But I will not deny the fact that it was a job in which I was interested and looked at seriously at the time. I am looking in different areas at the present time."
Bonnar, who is being linked with a move to Reading as assistant to the newly-appointed Tommy Burns, spoke candidly to members of the local media during his visit to Castlebar as a guest of the Mayo Association Football League.
Burns is a former Celtic team-mate of Bonnar's, and the Donegal-born star is likely to make the move south from Glasgow to the struggling Division One side if the offer is right.
At the present time, he is coaching the goalkeeping staff at Carisle United one day a week. He is also involved in television work and run his own sports consultancy firm.
"I am kept very busy. But thankfully I am in a position in which I can pick and choose my work."
Bonnar is a member of Irish manager Mick McCarthy's technical staff, and enjoys working with the talented young stars coming up through the ranks.
"The young players need time to develop, and Mick has become a better manager than he was at the start of World Cup qualifying campaign.
"So things are looking bright. But I think the 2000 European Championships are coming too early for the young bridage to make an impact. I believe we will have to wait until the next World Cup campaign to see Ireland at their best again."
Regarding his own club Celtic, he said he did not know what all the fuss was about regarding manager Wim Jansen not signing a new contract. "The time to sign a contract is when you win something," he added.
Bonnar admitted missing the day-to-day involvement in the game. "I don't miss the pressures, but I do miss the comradeship and the adrenalin you experience from playing in big matches."
Bonnar believed there was a lot of work to be done in developing the game in Ireland.
He said he was a fan of summer football."I think players can improve their technique by playing during the best time of the year. I watched a number of games in Ireland over the Winter, and the quality was not up to standard. "It's an aspect every league and club in Ireland should be examining closely."
