John O’Shea is thinking no further ahead than Tuesday night’s friendly against Switzerland amid speculation he could become permanent Republic of Ireland manager after all.
The Football Association of Ireland’s director of football Marc Canham revealed last month as O’Shea was placed in interim charge that Stephen Kenny’s successor would be named in early April, and that an announcement had been delayed by “existing contractual obligations”.
Former Manchester United and Ireland defender O’Shea said: “My remit was to focus on these two games. If my remit beforehand was ‘John, you’re the full-time new manager’, it might have been a different situation. The focus for me was ‘these two games, John, look after these games and see what happens then’. “I am focusing on the last game against Switzerland. My focus has been on that right from the start when this process started.”
Here’s the latest from talkSPORT BET on who is the favourite to be the next permanent boss:
5. Robbie Keane
The Irish ex-Leeds, Spurs and Liverpool striker is 10/1 Photo: JACK GUEZ
6. Lee Carsley
the England under 21 coach and ex Everton man remains at 8/1 despite distancing himself from the role Photo: Naomi Baker
7. Willy Sagnol
The Frenchman and current Georgia coach is 5/2 Photo: Levan Verdzeuli
8. Gus Poyet
The former Chelsea midfielder and Brighton boss is the favourite at 5/4 Photo: Charles McQuillan