Despite FAI chief executive John Delaney urging patience this morning there was a massive surge on the betting markets to install Liam Brady as the next Republic of Ireland manager this afternoon, ahead of a statement from the association tonight.
The FAI board will discuss the vacancy this evening and although Delaney says the meeting will be "significant", the appointment of Steve Staunton's successor is not expected to be finalised tonight.
The three-man recruitment panel of Don Givens, Don Howe and Ray Houghton have compiled a progress report which Givens will present to the 10-man board. It remains unlikely the trio will actually offer a preferred candidate for ratification by the board, despite a friendly against Brazil on the horizon.
Givens - who has been Ireland's caretaker boss since Staunton's departure in October - will name the squad for the February 6th game on Thursday and is also likely to be in charge on the night. Still, it is possible the new boss will be announced ahead of the Brazil game but, owing to the close proximity of the fixture, adopt a watching brief and take charge afterwards.
A statement will posted on the FAI website following the board meeting.
"What I would say to people is to be a small bit more patient but we are definitely very close to the next appointment, there's no doubt about that," Delaney told RTE Radio this morning.
"I don' think it was ever said a manager would be appointed for the Brazil game. It was said it wasn't compulsory but would be nice if we did. But we've a board meeting (tonight) and that will be a significant board meeting in my opinion.
"Don (Givens) is going to come and give a report on the sub committee's workings to date between Ray Houghton, Don Howe and himself. I met the three guys last week and I was hugely encouraged by what they've done to date.
Delaney said most candidates who had expressed an interest in the vacant position had been interviewed although the recruitment panel reportedly still have to meet both Lawrie Sanchez and Billy Davies.
"We've had a hell of a lot of interest in the job, based on two reasons," added Delaney. "Certainly the squad of players available to the new manager are better than the ones that maybe Stephen Staunton would have inherited a couple of years ago. I think that's one of the positive legacies of Stephen's time.
"But we're also prepared to pay up to a seven figure sum here to ensure that we can try and get the best manager to manage Ireland going forward. What I would say to people is to be a small bit more patient but we are definitely very close to the next appointment, there's no doubt about that."
Brady was widely available at 7/1 with most bookmakers this morning but moved to around 7/4 this evening after the former Ireland midfielder apparently attracted a lot of interest from punters. The betting markets have been in a state of flux for some weeks now and the likelihood is that the only real winner from the long and drawn out affair are the bookmakers themselves. But Brady was not alone.
Kenny Dalglish and Glenn Hoddle were seemingly well backed today. Such was the surge of bets on the perceived 'also-rans', in fact, that perennial front runner Terry Venables eased to 9/1 with Paddy Power and as far back as 12/1 with Betfair.
Gerard Houllier remains to the fore despite numerous reports he is not interested in leaving his position with the French Football Federation.
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