Martin O'Neill and Roy Keane departed the Republic of Ireland set up this week after yet another underwhelming performance against Denmark, a game that brought the curtain down on a disastrous Nations League campaign which resulted in relegation.
It came a year after Denmark ended their chances of going to last summers World Cup when arguably the duo should have been removed from their positions.
The last twelve months have done neither O'Neill or Keane any favours with the dire football, O'Neill mulling over a move to Stoke City while a new contract remained on the table and the former Manchester United man falling out spectacularly with both Harry Arter and Jon Walters, the two that we know about.
The past year has been nothing short of a disaster that may have harmed future prospects for both men, especially Keane.
It ended five years of ups and downs that we must remember were not all bad. A fantastic win over Germany when Shane Long netted the winner followed by qualification for Euro 2016 and a famous win over Italy to set up a meeting in the last 16 with France, were among the highlights.
James McClean's winner at Cardiff will be remembered for a long time also.
However the year between the playoff defeat to Denmark and the Nations League disaster will be what the "dream team" will be remembered for.
Attention now turns to who will fill the hotseat as the Republic prepare for Euro 2020 qualifiers with the draw to be held in Dublin on Sunday week with the next campaign to get underway in March.
That fact alone could rush the FAI and John Delaney into making a quick appointment, however the decision should not be rushed just to facilitate a photo opportunity with European eyes on Dublin next weekend.
Mick McCarthy is available and although a good solid appointment it hardly screams ambition, just a feeling of more of the same.
They say you should never go back and in this case the recently sacked Ipswich boss may not be the dream appointment many supporters believe him to be.
He did exceptionally well the first time around during a period that lasted from 1996-2002. Following a terrific display in Japan & Korea where events off the field ultimately led to his departure. An event that does not need discussing further.
If appointed McCarthy will do a solid job with the football perhaps a bit better than O'Neill or Trapatoni before him. He will not have a Shay Given, Damien Duff, Robbie Keane or a Roy Keane at his disposal this time and those thinking he can recreate the good days are living in the past. Just ask the Ipswich fans who demanded he leave after the football became so dire. Many would still not have him back even though they sit bottom of the Championship.
With Noel King having departed the Under 21 set up it is the perfect opportunity to look at the whole set up of Irish football and try link all the under ages sides to the same philosophy. Lee Carsley and Steven Reid both deserve to be involved at some level in this process.
Stephen Kenny has done wonders at Dundalk and deserves a shot at his dream job. Those who say he lacks the experience required need only look up the road at Michael O'Neill who managed Shamrock Rovers before heading into International football. They shone at Euro 2016 playing a style of football that was enjoyable to one and all, you could see the players enjoyed pulling on their countries shirt.
You cannot say they have better players than we have. They do however have a manager willing to allow them be creative and not fear whoever they may come up against. The same can be said of Wales and Ryan Giggs following on the great work done by both the late Gary Speed and Chris Coleman with Gareth Bale aside they are a pretty ordinary team.
Stephen Kenny and his side put Dundalk and the League of Ireland on the map during their Europa League run in 2016 playing a style of football that was easy on the eye and one that allowed his players to express themselves.
He led the League of Ireland side to four of the last five titles and ended the current season with a league and cup double. His record stands for itself. St Patrick's Athletic today released a statement backing Kenny for the role. While their actions may be genuine and in an effort to do the best for the league as a whole it was a bit amateurish and the 47 year old doesn't need a petition to go around in order to get his name in the hat.
John Delaney and Co would be foolish to not give the man the least he deserves and a chance to interview for the position.
While Mick McCarthy is the safe appointment, the opportunity is there for a complete overhaul of the structure and play of Irish football and while we're unlikely to compete against the big boys regardless we can at least go at teams and show we can at long last play an attractive style of football which will get bums on seats which may interest the FAI more so.
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