‘If I was him, I wouldn’t take it the second time’ – Damien Duff blasts FAI and insists John O’Shea ‘left out to dry’

O’Shea will name his squad today for the friendly double header against Hungary and Portugal, a squad shorn of senior players like Gavin Bazunu, Nathan Collins, Choedozie Ogbene and Evan Ferguson.

Today’s Sports News in 90 Seconds – 28th May

Waterford native O’Shea has been given no assurances by the FAI in terms of their long-term plans to replace Stephen Kenny but Duff, speaking to former teammate Richie Sadlier in the Second Captains podcast, was scathing of the process.

“If I was him, I wouldn’t take it the second time. They have left him out to dry. He is just hanging around – ‘am I getting it, am I not?’” Duff told Second Captains.

“He’s too good a person, he’s too good a coach, to be doing that. I hope he does not take it the wrong way but I’d encourage John to go on his own journey, coach every day, because that’s where the learning is.

“I was so, so pleased for John that he got to manage his country. It’s something I might never get to do, and it’s the pinnacle of any proud Irishman’s football career.

“But the whole process has been absolutely embarrassing. We used to be a footballing power; we are not anymore.

“How the FAI is being run, the whole organisation from top to bottom, I think they have to take the brunt of it. John, if he goes and takes it again, ok great, he might get it full-time, (which is) absolutely amazing.

“I’d say he was so proud standing on the touchline at the Aviva, but if I was him, I wouldn’t take it the second time.”

Duff, who has guided Shels to leadership of the Premier Division, encouraged O’Shea – who has coached at club level as well as with the Ireland U21 and senior teams but never managed a team outright bar his caretaker stint with Ireland – to start off at club level.

“We are young coaches. He’ll be a brilliant coach, a brilliant manager. I’d like to see John take a club team now. And not wait around to see what the FAI do,” Duff added.