John O'Shea accepts interim role for June friendlies but Brian Kerr won't be involved

John O’Shea will remain in interim charge of Ireland for the summer friendlies against Hungary and Portugal.

But Brian Kerr will not be part of the backroom staff this time, due to prior professional and personal commitments.

O’Shea will again be joined by assistant manager Paddy McCarthy, first-team coach Glenn Whelan and goalkeeper coach Rene Gilmartin.

Analyst Stephen Rice and Athletic Performance coach Damien Doyle also retain their roles on the staff for the summer games.

Ireland host Hungary at Aviva Stadium on June 4 before facing Portugal in Aveiro on June 11.

And O’Shea, who managed the team in March against Belgium and Switzerland, said today: “I’m looking forward to continuing as Interim Head Coach for two great games.

“Both matches represent great challenges but I was really happy with what I saw from the players in both matches in March.

“We’ll be looking to build on some of those positives in June, but also, get that win which I thought the group deserved.”

The saga to find Stephen Kenny’s successor rumbles on and a permanent boss won’t be in place until September’s Nations League game against England.

Republic of Ireland’s Assistant Manager Paddy McCarthy with Technical Advisor Brian Kerr

Today’s. FAI director of football Marc Canham insisted that particular deadline wouldn’t be missed – unlike others set by the FAI.

Canham said: “The process to appoint a new Head Coach for our senior men’s team will be concluded ahead of the start of the UEFA Nations League.”

Last week, Canham indicated that he wanted O’Shea to return as interim manager – but curiously hadn’t the deal over the line when he said it.

But that process is now complete and O’Shea, who wants the job full-time, said: “I’ve been in contact with Marc Canham since the March fixtures.

“Last week, he asked me about stepping in again and as I said before, it is always an honour to represent your country so I am delighted to continue.

“We will be missing Brian for the two matches in June unfortunately due to commitments elsewhere.

“He was a fantastic influence in the March window, we will miss his input and expertise for the two matches, and I’d like to thank him for his efforts.”

Kerr, the former Ireland senior and youth team manager, said prior commitments were preventing him from joining up with O’Shea in June having been Technical Advisor in March.

Kerr said: “It wasn’t possible for me to rejoin the coaching team this time around on account of commitments – personal and professional – that I’d made some time ago.

“I thoroughly enjoyed working with John and the very professional coaching group last month and I wish them well with these matches.”

And Kerr added: “Irish football, its welfare, remains a great passion for me.”

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