Rio Ferdinand believes his former Manchester United team-mate John O’Shea deserves a chance to lead the Republic of Ireland on a permanent basis.
O’Shea managed the team on an interim basis for Saturday’s draw against Belgium and Tuesday night’s 1-0 defeat to Switzerland.
The FAI board met on Wednesday morning, with the identity of Stephen Kenny’s successor on the agenda.
Director of football Marc Canham has previously suggested they had identified a candidate and were working through the finer details before announcing the new head coach in early April.
However there’s been something of a clamour for O’Shea to get the nod, with Nathan Collins, Seamus Coleman and Dara O’Shea all publicly backing the Waterford man.
Ferdinand was in Sligo on Wednesday for the ‘Beyond The Ball’ tournament.
The event – hosted by Sligo Rovers – is organised by the Rio Ferdinand Foundation, and involves uniting people aged 16 to 18 from eight border counties in a partnership between Ferdinand’s foundation and the International Fund for Ireland.
When asked by RTÉ Sport if O’Shea could be the new Ireland head coach, Ferdinand replied: “Yes, why not? He’s a young aspiring manager, he’s got all the credentials, he’s got the history, he’s got the experience in terms of playing and knowing what it takes to play at the top and I think those young players will be able to relate to him and he will be able to relate to them so.
“I think it’s a great opportunity to bring some young blood in. He’s in the hot seat at the moment – give him a go.”
In the wake of Ireland’s loss to the Swiss, Coleman – who made his Ireland debut alongside O’Shea against Wales in February 2011 – also talked up the 42-year-old’s credentials.
“I don’t want to sound like someone who’s played a couple of games for the manager and I am doing all I can to get him in, but being completely honest, the way he has conducted himself, how impressive he has been…
“My time will be up soon, but going forward for the future – so it’s not on a personal level – I think the way he’s carried himself, the work that he, [coaches] Paddy [McCarthy], Glenn [Whelan] have done behind the scenes has been really impressive, what he has done for his country, that respect he has from people instantly.
“I think he will be in the running. I have no idea, but why not be in the running for it? And I’d be delighted for him – but that’s above my pay grade.”
