Republic of Ireland boss Mick McCarthy has suggested that former Ireland player Niall Quinn would be qualified for the vacant role of FAI Chief Executive Officer.
It has been a dramatic few weeks for the association off the field. Earlier this month, FAI President Donal Conway said in a letter to Minister Shane Ross that the entire FAI board will step down.
The FAI also need to replace Delaney as Chief Executive and while Niall Quinn has repeatedly ruled himself out of the running, McCarthy said he would back the former Republic of Ireland striker for the role.
Quinny was Chairman at Sunderland for a while, so he’s been involved int he administration of football. He’s very bright, he’s a mate of mine. Does that make it the right decision? I’ll leave it to other people.
Whoever gets it, whether it’s an ex-footballer or anyone else, I’ll support whoever gets it, just like I supported John and whoever else by doing my bit.
Despite the political storm, McCarthy maintained it will not affect matters on the field: "I’m immune to it a little bit because I live in England. I’ve been kept up to date with it of course, and I’ve read bits and pieces, but it doesn’t affect me, it doesn’t affect the football, it doesn’t affect the players so unless that starts happening, I’m not going to give it any credence, to be honest."
Many tuned in to watch the FAI board's appearance in front of the Oireachtas committee, but the Ireland manager was not one of them: "I don’t get RTE back in Bromley to be quite honest with you, and I wouldn’t be looking at it anyway."
McCarthy was speaking at the launch of the SportsDirect FAI Summer Soccer Schools. In terms of his own position, the Republic of Ireland boss explained that the recent saga has had minimal impact.
"I work for the FAI. There’s not been one boss, there’s been 11 people on the board who were party to my being employed. If one of them leaves, I’m still employed by the FAI Board.
"The Board are still there and operating so I’m being employed by them."
Former CEO Delaney has voluntarily stepped aside from his role as Executive Vice-President of the FAI pending the completion of an independent investigation, but once again McCarthy was adamant this will not affect his job.
I worked closely with him during the first stint, I’ve only been here since 1 December.
My contact with John has been minimal. I’ve spoken to him on the phone, of course, and any issues we’ve had - not issues, any things that need to be discussed and if I’ve anywhere to go, to support any initiatives like this - but that’s for the FAI. It’s not John, it’s the FAI.
