Cawley: ‘Give it to O’Shea and let him get on with it’

Over the next few weeks, the Republic of Ireland will be among the nations that will have the nose pressed up against the glass watching 24 of the continent’s leading sides battle it out at Euro 2024.

The Boys in Green met a dark horse last week and one of the favourites this week in friendlies, ultimately beating Hungary 2-1 at the Aviva Stadium before a 3-0 loss in Portugal on Tuesday night.

While both of those countries have more important matters on their hands over the next few weeks, Ireland return to action in September with a daunting UEFA Nations League group opener against England and with a high degree of uncertainty given that the manager’s job has remained vacant since Stephen Kenny’s departure more than six months ago.

The FAI have pledged to have someone in place before September and speaking on the RTÉ Soccer Podcast, Alan Cawley implored the association to bring clarity to the situation as soon as possible and added that he would be satisfied if John O’Shea were to be handed the reins permanently after his two windows as interim head coach.

“We have a long road ahead of us. No matter who comes in, it’s going to be a difficult task, a difficult job,” said the RTÉ soccer analyst and former LOI and Ireland U17 midfielder, who was on this week’s episode alongside former striker Eoin Doyle to review the June friendlies and preview Euro 2024.

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“But I do think in terms of the managerial appointment, I think someone needs to be appointed now and some clarity around it and give a manager a chance.

“You mentioned we’re playing England in September. If we go into England in September with no manager in place and again you’re asking John O’Shea to step in (as an interim) – I think it was an insult to ask him to step in this time – it would be a massive insult to ask him to come in again in September if there’s no manager in place.

“So I think that’s what (the FAI) need to sort out themselves at that level, trying to get a manager in place as soon as possible.

“Some people are suggesting Willy Sagnol (and that) we’re waiting for him to finish the Euros. That’s not ideal either because again there’s so much uncertainty around it.”

Cawley added that the Ireland players’ vocal backing for O’Shea would make his appointment a viable one for the FAI.

“He’s obviously well liked. I’d be a bit like Eoin (Doyle) at this stage, purely because of the candidates that they’re suggesting could come in,” he said.

“I would be of the view, just give it to John O’Shea and let him get on with it and work with the players because no matter who comes in it’s going to be a struggle.

“But at least if he has a relationship built up with those players already and they seem to like him, that that will stand for something and that they can work with him, they’re happy to work with him and they want to get on with it.”

Watch every game from Euro 2024 on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player as well as highlights and goals as they happen on RTÉ Sport digital platforms

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Listen to the RTÉ Soccer podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.