Ireland has to be playing on biggest stage going forward

JOHN O’SHEA has told the Ireland players that qualifying for major tournaments is a non-negotiable – whether he is manager or not.

The FAI board held their monthly meeting yesterday, but there is no white smoke from Abbottstown on the identity of Stephen Kenny’s permanent successor.

That appointment is still scheduled for April, most likely after the women’s senior international against England at

Aviva Stadium on April 9.

O’shea’s two-game spin as interim boss finished after Tuesday’s 1-0 defeat to Switzerland, but the Ireland centurion wants the job full-time.

And leading players like skipper Seamus Coleman and defenders Nathan Collins and Dara O’shea have come out to support his candidacy. But O’shea claims there are no talks lined up with FAI chiefs this week.

“If I could be the manager of Real Madrid, Manchester United or Ireland in the morning, I would make it happen,” said O’shea.

“I’d give you clarity, but I don’t have it either,” added O’shea, who doesn’t know if there’s a manager waiting in the wings, as Director of Football Marc Canham (above) has suggested.

Asked if he believes the FAI have a successor lined up, O’shea said: “From the wording I’ve heard before the games, they said they have. That’s my understanding of it.

“I’ve worked with amazing managers from different parts of the world. To manage a club or international team, you appreciate that it’s a really important skill set.

“Putting all those factors together, plenty of managers from Ireland would love the job and plenty of managers from around the world would love the job too.”

Gus Poyet has been linked throughout and will be on the market by Sunday night, after Greece missed out on Euro 2024.

He masterminded home and away wins over Stephen Kenny’s Ireland in qualifying but wants time to decide on his future.

His contract expires on Sunday and, in the wake of the Georgia defeat, Poyet said: “Five more days!. For me it was a privilege to be in this team but I don’t want to say anything about the future. It was a privilege to be here.”