I interviewed him for the book: Barnsley FC My Club My Passion. I've dug out his exact comments and they include the following couple of things he said: Question: When Barnsley are on Sky and sometimes you get invited to comment you still seem to have a great relationship with the supporters. Do you feel that? Mick's answer: Yes, I do feel it. I've never felt any warmth when I go back with a team of mine though! I'm delighted to say that they treat me with the same contempt and hatred as I treated everyone I played against. I really did. I hated everyone who came through that door when I was playing against them. If I'm at Oakwell not on business I get a lovely reception but if I'm there with my team then it's not and I think that's right as well. That's honesty. Question: Could you ever see yourself managing Barnsley? Mick's answer: On two occasions I talked to them about it. Once when I was coming to the end of my career and I think they were thinking about me being player manager. Also, when I was the Republic boss. I met with them out of courtesy really. I wouldn't have bothered even meeting for any other team than Barnsley but I was happy being Ireland manager and so nothing happened. I'm not sure if it's sensible anyway. A sure-fire way of losing the goodwill from the fans would be to take the manager's job. Is it something I'd like to happen? It's like a pipedream ......in ten years time when I'm 60, take the manager's job and get them back to the Premier League. Wouldn't that be lovely! But you know, I'd always be judged against Danny Wilson's team - it's just like watching Brazil and all that. My love for the club makes me want to do it but I can't guarantee it'd be a success and the last thing I'd want to do is to go back and be thought of as a numpty! It's not so clear cut as I thought. Maybe he could be persuaded. He's 58 tomorrow so almost aged 60. And the memory of the Danny Wilson team has receded. Maybe just maybe.......
Wasn't on the Skybet next manager betting earlier and all of a sudden he's down to 16s. Their fans don't appear that fond of him and a new contract isn't being given to him in a hurry, as he appears to have gone stale there after so many years. This is the best chance timing wise to get him.
I'm finding it really difficult today. I'm furious, so pissed off. I'm cross with Hecky but even more so with Gauthier / the new owners. There's a saying: "People leave managers, not companies" and I believe this is a part of it - the new contract wasn't what he wanted and expected and the relationship very quickly broke down as a result - leading to him jumping at the Leeds offer immediately. I also can't believe that we didn't have the foresight to manage risk by tying his backroom staff down (maybe we'll find out later that we did and have received compensation for them too). But, dreaming it might happen is making me feel better too so I'll join you!
GET MICK BACK, has all the pedigree we require now and in the future. Money is no object (in relation to getting a manager that could keep us up). so go get the right man for the job!
He used to be up Worsbrough every other week .. I doubt he'll tek bfc managers job... but, who knows..
Wonder if he still plans to run his contract down like he said in October..... https://www.twtd.co.uk/ipswich-town-news/32502/mccarthy-ill-finish-my-contract-and-see-what-happens Great way for the new owners to show ambition and get fans on side. Give Mick a chance to run his club like LJ got at Brizzle.
I'd be happy with him. Not convinced he'd keep us up but I wouldn't mind giving him the chance but let's be fair lads....if he failed there'd be fans on his back as sure as eggs are eggs. You only have to look at the reactions of some people on here when they're not happy. He's currently a Barnsley legend. Let's not kid ourselves that that wouldn't count for nothing if he struggles.
Each to their own, but I can't blame the new owners at all. They've just backed the bloke in the window, got a load of new talent in, they've offered him a contract in good faith and four days later he's ****** off to Leeds of all places. Bloke's a snake.
Be shocked if it happens. He won’t want to ruin his reputation here, it’s a tough job, at best we’ll get to mid table & that won’t excite many fans. He’s not lived in the area for a long time, parents no longer alive, 3 kids all settled down south, has grandkids as well. A manager his age relocating back up here away from family & having to work harder than ever before due to limited resources & the amount of coaching that’s needed due to all our young players, I just can’t see the attraction.
A mid table finish is what we can only dream of !! I'd love to see him back. Legend or not, reputation or not, I'd give him every opportunity to prove himself.
Ipswich fans views on McCarthy to us https://www.twtd.co.uk/forum/422858/mick-to-barnsley-(n-t)/#17 https://www.twtd.co.uk/forum/422889/barnsley-fans-want-mick-it-seems/#3 https://www.twtd.co.uk/forum/422884/barnsley-caller-on-talk-sport-wanting-mccarthy-as-new-manager/#7 https://www.twtd.co.uk/forum/422883/talksport--barnsley-fans-want-mm/#1