14 YEARS ON from Ireland’s famous defeat of Holland in a World Cup 2002 qualifier, Mick McCarthy is set to renew his rivalry with Louis van Gaal.
Ipswich take on Man United in the Capital One Cup tomorrow, with McCarthy once again the underdog.
Ahead of the match, the manager has recalled that memorable Ireland-Holland encounter, which effectively ensured the Boys in Green’s place in the playoffs at the Dutch team’s expense.
And there was some tension ahead of the 2001 encounter — in McCarthy’s World Cup diary at the time, he wrote: “Louis van Gaal is starting to annoy me.
“He has been quoted on my employment prospects if Ireland lose and he seems none too concerned at the prospect of Ireland sacking their manager and me losing my job. That disappoints me. There is no need for Louis van Gaal to get involved in Irish football politics. Hopefully we can wipe the smile off his face.”
Speaking to reporters this week, McCarthy admitted that the victory was a particularly satisfying one.
“I was absolutely f***ing delighted to win that one. It was a great day for me and Ireland.
“We won 1-0 despite the fact we were down to 10 men for about 40 minutes. It set me up for one of the highlights of my career, managing at the World Cup.
“Before the game I was getting annoyed because they were booking their hotels and it was supposed to be us that were going out.
“I was an angry young man then and I’m more pragmatic now but I still look forward to pitting my wits against him.”
