Now almost five months removed from Stephen Kenny's last game in charge, it has been suggested that the appointment of the next Ireland manager is imminent.
John O'Shea will take charge of the friendlies against Belgium and Switzerland later this month, with an announcement on a permanent appointment set to come in early April. FAI Director of Football Marc Canham hinted recently that a deal was almost done, although confirmation could not be given yet due to 'contractual obligations'.
The thing is, there has still be little indication as to the identity of that new manager.
The suggestion of early April as the date for the announcement did hint that the next head coach will be involved in the Match international window with another team. Lee Carsley was the obvious name that fit that criteria, although it has since been suggested that he is no longer in the running.
The likes of Gus Poyet (Greece), Anthony Barry (Belgium), and Will Sagnol (Georgia) are other coaches that fit that bill. In saying that, there was no explicit confirmation that they were currently involved at international level.
Another name previously linked with the Ireland manager job has suddenly become available.
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Rumoured Ireland manager candidate suddenly becomes available
The Independent reported back in September that Rafael Benitez was a name that was discussed by the FAI when it came to appointing the next Ireland manager.
He was unavailable at this point, having only joined Celta Vigo in June. However, he has now left his role with the Spanish club on the back of their 4-0 defeat against Real Madrid over the weekend. That loss left them just two points above the relegation zone.
Is there any chance that Benitez was the candidate that Canham hinted towards recently?
That seems unlikely, unless it was known that he was set to part ways with his former club at that point. If that were indeed the case, it may have made sense for him to sit out the current international window and take up the job in April.
It looks very improbable, but would really rule anything out of the Ireland manager search at this stage?
We just need to put the circus to an end at this point.
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