SÉAMUS COLEMAN has declared there is no better candidate than John O’Shea for the Ireland job.
But he also insisted the players would adapt if the FAI decides to appoint somebody else.
O’Shea expects clarity on the future after next Tuesday’s game against Portugal in Aveiro and Coleman believes the Waterford man has as good a claim as anyone else to fill the vacancy on a permanent basis.
Coleman said: “I think I can answer it honestly and not just because he has picked me in the squad so I’ll big him up in the right way.
“The way he has been around the hotel and with the younger players, the preparation behind the scenes with the manager and all the staff, he really cares for his country.
“We have seen that many times as a player and how many times he played and turned up all the time.
“We can all see how proud he is to be in the position and as players we will do everything we can at all times to win for Ireland, no matter what.
“But the man beside me is fit for the job as anyone else.
“I can’t speak highly enough of him as a man but also as a coach and as a manager now in how he manages the group.”
The third game of O’Shea’s reign as caretaker boss takes place in the Aviva Stadium tonight where 37,000 fans are expected to watch them take on Hungary.
And O’Shea would at least have had the benefit of four friendly games in advance of the Nations League opener against England, even if he might have approached them differently if he knew he would be in charge then.
But Coleman claimed it would not be the end of the world for the squad if Stephen Kenny’s replacement was thrown in at the deep end in September.
He said: “It’s a funny bubble we’re in, in this job. At club level I have been through I don’t know how many managers in the last seven/eight years.
“We have a way of adapting to things and while it’s not ideal, in these games if we can get results and help the manager here, if not all that stuff is out of my hands.
“Any time I put on the green shirt or the lads put on the green shirt, as much as you do it for managers you have that pride in yourself, that inner determination and that passion for your country you will always do all you can to prepare for them games and win them games.
“We will see where that brings us but as of now we are focused on Hungary and Portugal and hopefully the manager can get a couple of results in them games.”