Search for new Ireland manager could now stretch into September

The Football Association of Ireland’s director of football Marc Canham is hoping to have a Republic of Ireland manager appointed before September's opening Nations League game against England.

Having originally set a deadline of early April for a new manager, the search for Stephen Kenny's replacement continues, having left as manager in November.

Speaking to FAI Tv, Canham apologised for pushing out the deadline, having previously said in Feburary the process was “very close” to conclusion and all would be revealed in “early April” due to “existing contractual obligations”.

“The update today is that the process is not concluded and will remain ongoing,” said Canham.

“We recognise that that is not the news people wanted to hear. There are a number of reasons for why this is the case. One is around the criteria that we are looking at, the type of head coach, we want someone who will come in and improve the team and make us competitive.

“We want a coach who has a good mixture of club and international experience. We are very clear around what we want to achieve.

“The second point is around the conditions; we spoke to a number of coaches who are available at the moment but also those with contractual arrangements that are already existing.

“And the third point is around the competitiveness of the market. We are looking for the right coach for the right fit and the right timing for that person and for us.

“We will continue to search to find the best person for the job.”

Having taken charge of March's friendlies against Belgium and Switzerland, John O'Shea is being viewed as an option for the friendlies in June against Hungary and Portugal.

“We would like that to be John O’Shea, We were very pleased with what he did in March