John O'Shea has moved to clarify the presence of Mick McCarthy at the Ireland team hotel during the recent international window.
McCarthy stayed in the Castleknock Hotel while working as a pundit with Virgin Media Sport for Ireland's games against Belgium and Switzerland, at the same time as the Ireland squad were there in preparation for the double-header.
According to the Irish Independent, McCarthy's presence "raised eyebrows" among the squad, as the FAI continue their prolonged search for a permanent manager.
O'Shea was in interim charge of the team for the games and on Tuesday, he fielded questions on the subject of crossing paths with the former Ireland manager.
“He was staying in the hotel in Castleknock,” said O’Shea at a photo-call for the upcoming Europa League final in Dublin. “Virgin Media stick him in the hotel, no he wasn’t invited by us per se but we were chatting and having conversations if and when we passed each other.”
16 April 2024; The UEFA Europa League Final ambassador John O'Shea with the trophy at the Aviva Stadium ahead of the 2023/24 UEFA Europa League Final which will take place on Wednesday, May 22 in Dublin. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
John O'Shea asked about Mick McCarthy presence at Ireland hotel
The Castleknock Hotel certainly seems like an unusual venue for Virgin Media to place a pundit, as it's about 15 kilometres from their studios in Ballymount,
McCarthy did throw his weight behind an O'Shea appointment during that recent TV gig, saying that the Waterford man would be a popular choice.
"I've been in the hotel with them," said McCarthy. "i can just feel the warmth towards him. They all respect him. He's coached eight or nine of them already and played with two or three of them.
"I think his standing in the game is very good. He looks like going to be a manager or a head coach, no doubt about it."
The search for a new Ireland manager goes on
The FAI have previously stated that they would announce a new permanent manager in early-April but that self-imposed deadline has now passed and we are no closer to knowing who is going to take Ireland forward.
Chris Hughton is the latest name to be linked with the job but it now looks like we could be waiting until the summer to find out who leads Ireland into the Nations League campaign this autumn, and qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup.
O'Shea continues to make no secret of his desire for the gig but there have been a lot of reports this week suggesting that he won't be offered it.
That's not to say that the former Manchester United defender won't be involved in some capacity, but he has very much been left in limbo as the farcical search for a Stephen Kenny successor goes on.
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