JOHN O’SHEA has insisted he is still in the dark about who the FAI will appoint as permanent head coach.
The Association was due to make an announcement on Stephen Kenny’s successor this week but that is not now expected to happen.
SunSport revealed earlier today that figures within the FAI believe that Chris Hughton may end up being appointed.
Hughton – who parted company with Ghana after a disappointing African Cup of Nations campaign – was ruled out of contention earlier during the near four-month-long managerial hunt.
But it is understood that a fresh approach – one of several to potential candidates – has been made and that the ex-Ireland full-back has not discounted the prospect.
SunSport understands that O’Shea– who took interim charge for the matches against Belgium and Switzerland last month – is not viewed as an option for the role on a permanent basis.
O’Shea was speaking at the launch of the UEFA Europa League Trophy Tour at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on Tuesday afternoon
And asked if he was going to be the new permanent manager, O’Shea said: “I’ve no idea, I’ve no idea, I can’t update you.”
It has been suggested the former Manchester United defender could be asked to take charge for the friendly games against Hungary and Portugal in June.
But O’Shea said: “I’ve no idea on that either. I spoke to Marc recently but it was more so on the two games that I was in charge for and he said he’d update me then in terms of going forward as soon as he could, that things were progressing, but that’s as far as I know.”
Asked if he would do another spell as caretaker, the Waterford man said: “Ah look, when I was given the role for the two games, obviously the feeling I got from it, and it’s something I’ve been working towards, was that I wanted to continue, to be a head coach and to be a manager.
“That would be my thoughts on it going forward. That would be in my thought process but it’s a wait and see too.”
Asked if he felt the Association should employ him on a permanent basis rather than another temporary stint, O’Shea said: “Ah look, that’s the ideal scenario, that’s how I would feel but, ultimately, Marc has been saying they’re looking for someone with experience in the role.
“That’s something I obviously don’t have in terms of being actually a head coach, apart from the last two games and it was something I thoroughly enjoyed. It’s a case of I want to do it more and more.”