'The emphatic answer from me would be 'yes'' – John O'Shea puts ...
John O’Shea has said that his two games in caretaker charge of the Irish international team have given him “a taste for a lot more” and he insists that he is ready to be a manager.
Asked directly whether he was now of a mind to inform the FAI that he would like to be considered as a full-time candidate, O’Shea prevaricated but did not forcefully refute the idea.
“That’s something we’ll obviously discuss later on. For me the full focus was on the two games, enjoying the moment in terms of learning from it, really understanding it,” he said.
“Learning about myself in terms of how I cope with the situation in the games. And learn do I want to do it more?
“And look, the emphatic answer from me would be yes. But where that is, let’s wait and see.”
“It’s only giving me a taste for more, whether that’s with Ireland or club football or whatever the case may be.
“But this is an answer I was giving five or six years ago when I was planning on becoming a manager, having that process of taking assistant manager roles and then to take a managerial role.
“It’s something I’ve obviously loved every minute of and I’ve been engrossed in it fully. As I mentioned, it’s just annoying we didn’t get a win in either of the two games.”
Pressed as to whether that time might be sooner, rather than later, O’Shea was forcefully adamant in reply.
“My instinct would be that I’m more than ready and capable to be a manager.”
The FAI have insisted that they have already earmarked a candidate which they will unveil within weeks.
That issue will be discussed at board level on Wednesday although an equally pressing problem, the perilous position of their current chief executive, Jonathan Hill, is also likely to generate significant debate.
Speaking before that to Virgin Media, O’Shea said: “It’s something that I’ve always wanted to do. Now I’ve had a taste of it for two games, but we’ll dust ourselves down and let’s see what happens.
“I’m extremely proud of the staff but most importantly extremely proud of the group of players and how they responded in the second half.
“Let’s wait and see. I can only speak for how much myself and the staff have enjoyed working with the players.
“It has always been electric for me when I go away with Ireland, from playing to coaching and with these couple of games managing.
“Amazing moments and they have only given me a taste for a lot more.”
