John O'Shea in the dark over FAI's intentions to appoint a manager

John O’Shea with the Europa League Trophy at Aviva Stadium

John O’Shea has ‘no idea’ if he will end up getting the Ireland job on a permanent basis.

But he claims nobody in the FAI has told him he won’t, and he also left the door open for another stint as interim boss in June.

O’Shea took charge of the Ireland team for the March friendlies against Belgium and Switzerland.

At the time, the FAI said they would make a permanent appointment in April.

The identity of Stephen Kenny’s successor was due to be revealed this week, but has been put on the long finger once again.

And there is no clarity on when the association intends making an announcement, with the prospect of a summer appointment now likely.

Reports last week suggested O’Shea was no longer a contender for the permanent job.

And in Dublin today as a UEFA ambassador for the Europa League final at Aviva Stadium on May 22, he admitted he was in the dark.

“I’ve no idea, I can’t update you,” he said when asked if he was getting the job full-time.

But quizzed on whether or not he was told he won’t be the next manager, O’Shea said: “No”.

The prospect of taking on another caretaker role for the June home friendly against Hungary and away clash with Portugal cannot be ruled out.

“I spoke to Marc (Canham, FAI director of football) recently but it was more so on the two games that I was in charge for.

“He said he would 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.

“When I was given the role for the two games, 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.

“That’s the ideal scenario (to be appointed permanently rather than interim) 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.

“I’d love to update you more in terms of what’s happening but I can only update on how I felt after the last two games. I really enjoyed it. It’s a case of ‘I want to do it more’.”

UEFA Europa League Trophy Tour Locations

Event: Dublin Europa Cup

Date: Friday, April 20

Time: 12.30pm-4.30pm

Location: Irishtown Stadium

Event: St. Patrick’s Athletic v Waterford

Date: Friday, April 20

Time: 6.30pm (for photos)

Location: Richmond Park

Event: General Public Photo Opportunity

Date: Saturday, April 21

Time: 12.30pm-4pm

Location: ILAC Shopping Centre

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