Stephen Kenny's St Pat's to face ex-Man Utd star's side in Conference League
It took extra-time to split the Saints and Estonian side Nõmme Kalju FC in Tallinn on Thursday evening, with Stephen Kenny's side eventually going through 3-2 on aggregate. They will now face Besiktas, who are managed by former Manchester United player and manger Ole Gunnar Solskjær.
A stoppage goal from Joe Redmond saved St Pat's from being knocked out of the Conference League, before Jake Mulraney's extra-time strike secured the League of Ireland side's progression to the third qualifying round.
Having led 1-0 from the first leg, St. Pat's conceded goals on either side of half-time to the Estonian team, falling behind 2-1 on aggregate. Ivans Patrikejevs and Mattias Mannilaan scored in Tallinn, pushing the visitors to the edge of elimination.
However, a dramatic late response from Redmond, who was quickest to react after the goalkeeper parried a free-kick, and a spectacular long-range curler from Mulraney resulted in a 3-2 overall victory, propelling St. Pat's into a clash with Besiktas.
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The Irish Sun
an hour ago
- The Irish Sun
‘I had good conversations' – Ole Gunnar Solksjaer drops Ireland bombshell & pays tribute to St Pat's star Mason Melia
BESIKTAS boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has revealed that he held serious conversations about succeeding Stephen Kenny as Ireland manager. But he insisted that tomorrow's meeting with Kenny's St Patrick's Athletic is not about the men in the dugouts, but about stars like the Saints' Mason Melia. 2 Ole Gunnar Solksjaer confirmed he held talks with the FAI over the Ireland job Credit: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile 2 He was one of a number of names linked with succeeding Stephen Kenny Credit: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile Former Manchester United legend Solskjaer took charge of Besiktas earlier this year in what was his first job since his departure from Old Trafford in 2021. But he was one of the leading contenders to replace Kenny last year before Heimir Hallgrímsson's appointment, as Solskjaer confirmed there were detailed talks. He said: 'The Irish FA asked me if I wanted to be their coach. I had some good conversations but in the end it didn't turn out that way, I am happy where I am now.' But the 52-year-old Norwegian admitted that drawing St Pat's in the Conference League has meant he has followed Irish football closely. And he believes Ireland have a star on their hands in Melia, who will leave St Pat's for Tottenham Hotspur in a £2 million deal in January. Solskjaer added: 'They have a young striker that is very exciting. That might be the next one, the young lad coming through, Tottenham have made a good signing. 'When you perform at that level at 17…we see his movement, his goal against Waterford (on Sunday), the way he spun on a centre back timed his run…. 'I don't want to put pressure on him. I always follow young players, when you see young players, you follow their careers. 'He reminds me of a proper No. 9, he can play off the shoulder, or come short as well, he's a good finisher as well. 'He's got the world ahead of him. I wish him all the best after eight or nine days from now (and the second leg of the tie in Istanbul).' Inside the story of the ex-Man Utd wonderkid who retired in non-league that now helps clubs find the next gen of talent Solskjaer insisted that Besiktas - who are under pressure this week after being eliminated from the Europa League by Shakhtar Donetsk - do not view St Pat's as an easy tie. He added: 'If you think we think we are better than them, you're wrong. We respect absolutely every opponent. 'I'm sure they want to win, expect to win. Last year, they (St Pat's) got one step further than this. 'We are ready for a difficult game, we know last year (they faced) Basaksehir and drew 0-0, we know we have a fight, a team that has found form, and is playing defensively really well. 'We know a bit about them, they played Molde earlier this year and Ryan McLaughlin, he played for my assistant Mike Marsh when he was younger (at Liverpool). 'And Joe Anang, my goalkeeping coach worked with him. So we know a bit more about them than normal scouting. 'I wouldn't call anything a free hit in football anymore.'
Irish Times
an hour ago
- Irish Times
Ole Gunnar Solskjær confirms he was approached by FAI to take Ireland job
Besiktas manager Ole Gunnar Solskjær has revealed he was approached by the FAI to replace Stephen Kenny as the Republic of Ireland head coach. Solskjær, speaking ahead of the Turkish club's Uefa Conference League qualifier against the Kenny-managed St Patrick's Athletic at Tallaght Stadium on Thursday night, confirmed that discussions occurred during the Association's calamitous 231-day search. Heimir Hallgrímsson eventually accepted the role in July 2024 on an 18-month contract. 'We had some good conversations,' said Solskjær, 'but in the end it did not turn out that way. READ MORE 'I am very happy where I am now.' When pressed for details on his dealings with the FAI's former chief football officer Marc Canham, the former Manchester United manager added: 'That was confidential.' A comedic moment followed at the pre-match press conference, as the diligent but confused Turkish translator needed Solskjær to explain what had just happened: 'Who is Stephen Kay-ney?' 'Stephen Kenny is the coach of St Patrick's,' the Norwegian quietly explained. 'He was the coach of Ireland before and, after him, the Irish FA asked me if I wanted to be their coach.' Diplomacy in motion, Solskjær had strolled into the Tallaght Stadium press room 15 minutes ahead of time and made himself a cup of tea before hailing the burgeoning talent of Mason Melia . None of this bodes well for St Pat's. Solskjær and Besiktas have done their homework following the Saints' 0-0 result last season against Istanbul Basaksehir in the Conference League playoff. Also, crucially, there are reports of Roberto Mancini being parachuted into the Besiktas hot-seat after a 6-2 aggregate defeat to Shakhtar Donetsk saw them drop from the Europa League to the Conference League. Besiktas manager Ole Gunnar Solskjær signs a shirt for Adam McGill at Tallaght Stadium. Photograph: Ryan Byrne/Inpho 'We are ready for a difficult game,' said Solskjær. 'We know from 0-0 against Basaksehir that we will have to fight. We know that St Patrick's have found form. 'They have a young striker who is really exciting. I am sure you all have the same thoughts that I have about him. The next one. The young lad coming through. I think Tottenham have made a good signing. We know we need to watch him.' With 91 goals from 235 appearances in the Premier League, the 52-year-old coach (he looks 35) was best placed to answer the next question: Does Mason Melia possess the tools to make it at Spurs? 'When you perform at this level at 17, definitely. You see a mature finisher. His movement, the goal he scored against Waterford, the way he spun off the centre back, the way he timed his run, of course. 'I don't want to put too much pressure on him. I always follow the young players when I see them early in their careers. There are a few decent players I played with from Ireland so I have a fond eye for Irish players.' A slim, skilful centre forward, does Melia remind the Norwegian of anyone? 'Well, he is a proper number nine. He can play off the shoulder. He is very good at link-up play and coming short. Good finisher. He has the world ahead of him. I am sure he will have a very good career. Eight, nine days from now I wish him all the best.' Again, the fact that Besiktas have already reviewed the 2-0 win in Waterford last Sunday doesn't bode well for St Pat's hopes of a generational upset. 'A centre forward who is lively, with very good movement, wide men who are very tricky with quick feet,' Ole added. 'You know they are very good at counterattacks and defensively solid. 'Stephen's record speaks for itself, he will be true to himself, he like his teams to play. I'm probably the same. 'Actually, Ryan McLaughlin he played for Mike Marsh, one of my assistants, and Joseph Anang played for my goalkeeper coach, so we know a bit more than the normal scouting.' Bad news for St Pat's perhaps, very bad news with a second leg in Istanbul to follow.
Irish Examiner
2 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
'The FAI asked me if I wanted to be their coach' - Ole Gunnar Solskjær reveals Ireland offer
Uefa Conference League third round (first leg): St Patrick's Athletic v Besiktas, Tallaght Stadium, Thursday 7.45pm Ole Gunnar Solskjær has revealed he was approached by the FAI about the Ireland vacancy last year, admitting he was asked if I wanted to be their coach. The former Manchester United boss leads Turkish side Besiktas into battle with St Patrick's Athletic in Thursday's Conference League clash but may have succeeded his counterpart Stephen Kenny in the Ireland hotseat. Despite downplaying reports of links during the arduous 231-day FAI search to fill the vacancy, Solskjær has provided an enlightening insight about how close he came to being appointed before Heimir Hallgrímsson landed the post. Solskjær was unemployed from the time his three-year spell at United ended in 2021 to accepting the role in Turkey last March. Asked by the Irish Examiner if he might have been Kenny's successor, he replied: 'The FAI asked me if I wanted to be their coach. 'We I had some good conversations but in the end it didn't turn out that way. I am very happy where I am now.' When it was put to if he or the FAI ended the possibility of exploring international management, he was non-committal. 'That would be confidential but we had some good chats.' It's not overstating to foresee Solskjær returning to the jobs market if side are scalped by the Saints over the two legs. He's already facing pressure after a sluggish start to the season and the notion of being dumped out by the Irish side will be anathema to their loyal hardcore. Solskjær takes a selfie with a fan. Picture: Ryan Byrne/Inpho Solskjær has experience of Irish competition, his Norwegian side Molde overcoming Sligo Rovers in the 2013 Champions League, but he's cautioning the expectant Turks about the challenge looming against the Dubliners. 'Pressure is a privilege — something we thrive on underneath,' he explained about their current plight. 'When results go against you, you don't enjoy that period but it's a chance to show character, show individual character. 'Football is a bumpy road and you have to manoeuvre and accept it. If you don't results, there will be criticism and If you win every day you are still not perfect. 'If people think we think we are better than St Pat's, they're wrong. Last year, they got to the playoffs and I'm sure they want to go one step further. 'I wouldn't call anything a free hit in football anymore.' The man known as the baby-faced assassin from his playing days recognises pedigree in Mason Melia, the teen striker he branded a 'good signing' for Tottenham at €1.9m. 'We saw his movement for his goal against Waterford at the weekend' he said of his scouting duties. 'He spun the centre back and timed his run. He's a proper No. 9, he can play off the shoulder, can come short too and is a good finisher as well. 'He's got the world ahead of him and I wish him all the best — after our two games against them finish in eight days from now.' Saints must move to Tallaght due to the limitations of their Richmond Park home but are anticipating most of the 8,500 seats to be occupied. The full away allocation of 500 was taken up by Besiktas.
