We will, allegedly, hear word of who the next Ireland manager will be next week.
It is almost five months since Stephen Kenny exited the role after a dismal 2023, and the FAI's hunt has taken more twists and turns than the Irish football public could reasonably have expected.
First, it seemed destined to be Lee Carsley, until it wasn't. Then it was Neil Lennon, until it wasn't. Then it was Roy Keane, but it wasn't, but it might have been, but it ultimately wasn't. Carsley then confirmed outright it would not be him, before the remaining frontrunner Gus Poyet also appeared to drop out of the race last week.
After almost half a year of waiting, the most likely candidate now seems to be the man who took over as interim coach, John O'Shea.
Earlier this week, however, a name who had been floated early in the hunt re-emerged, as reports suggested the FAI had made a formal approach to Anthony Barry. Former Ireland assistant Barry is currently on the coaching ticket with both Bayern Munich and Portugal.
One man who has been highly critical of the FAI's search for a new manager is Shelbourne boss Damien Duff. The former Ireland international spoke to Balls.ie and the Irish media immediately after the reports of renewed interest in Anthony Barry emerged on Tuesday - and said he was tired of going around in circles on the topic.
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Damien Duff perfectly sums up the circus of Ireland manager hunt
9 April 2024; Manager Damien Duff poses for a portrait during a Shelbourne media conference at Tolka Park in Dublin. Photo by Ben McShane/Sportsfile
The hunt for an Ireland manager has been exhausting, with names thrown into the mix and swiftly withdrawn ad nauseum over the past five months. One man who has been particularly exasperated by that hunt has been Damien Duff, and he said this week he had had enough of talking about the national team.
Perhaps the best summation of how farcical the hunt has been is that, between us talking with Duff and this piece going out, Barry has already effectively been ruled out of the race - summing up the "needless" conversations the Shelbourne boss said he was so exhausted by:
It's had enough air time for me. I don't have any view and that's not me copping out.
Someone said to me on the way in, 'it could be Anthony Barry.' Anthony Barry sounds amazing, I'd love to see him work. He looks an amazing coach, looks a proper fella. So, if it is Anthony great, I wish him luck. If it is John [O'Shea] great, I wish him luck.
But, here, outside of that, roll on the women's [international] tonight. The League of Ireland is the shining light of Irish football. You'd say the women are on a par with it. Can't wait to watch that game tonight. Champions League tonight also.
I am not copping out of your question...I'm just like...[shrugs]
You probably think it's a contradiction but I hate talking. I hate having needless conversations. I am sure all of you have had needless conversations, it just wastes your energy. It's a waste of pens and paper, wastes a good League of Ireland story for some shite.
That's why my face dropped when you ask me [about the Ireland manager], I don't like talking, ask my wife when I go home, I don't like talking. That would really sum it up, because there is nothing to talk about with them. Apologies.
There will be many Ireland fans who will think that the FAI could do worse than appoint Damien Duff as the next national team manager - not that the Shelbourne boss has any interest in taking the role.
Duff has been vocal in criticising the FAI's prolonged hunt for an Ireland head coach, repeatedly saying that the League of Ireland was the shining light of Irish football. Last week, he said that even hiring Pep Guardiola would not paper over the cracks in the Irish football pyramid.
Shelbourne have continued their remarkable rise under Duff this season, and sit top of the table and unbeaten after the first round of Premier Division games. They face Bohemians this Friday in a massive north Dublin derby at Tolka Park, with the game live on RTÉ 2 at 7:45pm.
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