There was a mixed reaction to the announcement that John O'Shea was appointed as the Republic of Ireland interim manager yesterday, with many questioning the FAI process that has led us to this point.
Stephen Kenny was relieved of his duties back in November, with it being known for quite some time before that that he would not be continuing in the role. Despite this, little progress has been made in appointing his successor.
Lee Carsley is widely regarded to be the FAI's first choice for the position and it seems as though his hesitancy to take the gig has led to the delayed announcement. It was initially said that a new manager would be in place at the start of February, although that deadline has now been pushed out until early April at the earliest.
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Stephen Bradley says John O'Shea should be in Ireland running
It remains to be seen if Lee Carsley will eventually be appointed as the new Ireland manager, although it is unclear what would have changed in order for him to take a job he had been hesitant to commit to for a number of months up to that point.
If he is not appointed, it is uncertain who the next choice would be.
It has been reported that John O'Shea and his coach Paddy McCarthy are not in the running to be appointed on a permanent basis, although some feel they should be given consideration.
Speaking to the Irish media, Shamrock Rovers boss Stephen Bradley said that O'Shea should be in the frame for the full-time role due to the fact that they have been trusted by the FAI to take the game against Belgium and Switzerland next month.
They can only do what's in front of them and what's in front of them is two difficult games. If they win them or do well in both, why shouldn't they be in the frame for it?
They [FAI] obviously see them as a good fit to take the team, so what would change for long term? Both are young coaches. I know John hasn't managed before but has experience in terms of playing.
Paddy has been an assistant for a long time and they will bring different things to the table. If they are successful and it looks well, I don't see why they would change.
Like every football person in the country, I want them to be successful and do well and wish them both nothing but success. I hope they go in and do their business and get the job long-term and we all get behind them and support them.
Anyone going into the Ireland job, you only want to wish them well and get behind them, and we have to do that now.
It will be interesting to see if we hear any news of a permanent Ireland managerial appointment ahead of those games in March.
After what has been a shambolic few weeks for the FAI, they need to get this decision right.
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