John O'Shea named as Republic of Ireland coach for upcoming ...

John O’Shea has been named Republic of Ireland interim head coach for March friendlies against Belgium and Switzerland.

The Football Association of Ireland have also confirmed that a permanent appointment will be announced in April on a four year contract. It is 98 days since they parted ways with Stephen Kenny after a disappointing Euro 2024 qualification campaign.

Marc Canham, the FAI’s director of football, said the process is “near completion.”

O’Shea brings in Crystal Palace assistant manager Paddy McCarthy.

“We’re delighted to announce John and Paddy as interim head coach and assistant coach for the March fixtures,” said Canham. “John has developed a strong level of excellent coaching experience across both domestic and international football and has recently been involved at both under-21 and senior level with Ireland alongside his considerable achievements as an international player and in his club career.

“John knows this group of players extremely well and with the support and expertise of Paddy, we believe this team are the right choice for the interim period.”

This is not part of the FAI’s original recruitment plan as chief executive Jonathan Hill stated in December that he “definitely” wanted a new manager to replace Kenny “by February” to ensure adequate preparation time for the March games and June encounters with Hungary and Portugal.

The next competitive match is against England in the Nations League at the Aviva stadium on September 7th.

O’Shea could be retained on the longer term coaching ticket having previously worked as Kenny’s coach last year. The former Manchester United defender parted ways with the association last November only to last three months as an assistant to Wayne Rooney at Birmingham City. Rooney was sacked after just 83 days.

Lee Carsley was the FAI's top choice to replace Stephen Kenny. Photograph: Peter Byrne/PA Wire

The FAI head-hunting team of Hill, Packie Bonner and Canham are believed to have settled for O’Shea as a stopgap after being unable to land Lee Carsley. The former Ireland and Everton midfielder remains the outstanding candidate for the role, having led the England under-21s to a Euros title last year. He remains an FA employee.

Canham recently stated that budgetary constraints are not hindering the process but, clearly, the search for a manager has hit a snag. Along with Carsley, former Wales manager Chris Coleman, ex-Celtic boss Neil Lennon and Bayern Munich coach Anthony Barry were repeatedly mentioned as candidates.

Barry double jobs with Portugal but he is expected to leave Bayern this summer.

McCarthy, who is from Dublin, came through the Manchester City academy before making over 130 appearances for Crystal Palace and winning seven caps for the Ireland under-21s. A coach at Palace since retiring in 2016, twice the 40-year-old was promoted to caretaker manager after the club released Patrick Viera and Roy Hodgson.

In 2009, McCarthy was an unused sub for the senior Ireland team against South Africa.

“Paddy has fantastic experience as a coach and is a great addition to the staff, alongside his current role at Crystal Palace, his experience will prove invaluable to John and the team for these next two matches” Canham added.

Former Crystal Palace assistant coach Paddy McCarthy will work with John O'Shea. Photograph: Barrington Coombs/PA Wire

O’Shea’s playing record speaks for itself. After a stellar 12 year career at Manchester United, where he made 256 appearances and scored 10 goals, he played 226 games for Sunderland before finishing up at Reading in 2019.

The Waterford native played 118 times for his country over 17 years, making him the fourth most capped Ireland international behind Robbie Keane, Shay Given and Emma Byrne. He missed out on the 2002 World Cup squad but earned major tournament experience when starting all three group matches at Euro 2012.

Stints coaching at Reading, the Ireland under-21s under Jim Crawford and Stoke City led to his appointment as Kenny’s fourth coach in three years, following Damien Duff, Barry and John Eustace.

“It will be an incredible honour to lead the side into the March international window,” he said. “I’ve got great belief in this group of players to win football matches and looking forward to some positive results.”