Former Celtic manager and favourite for the Republic of Ireland job Martin O’Neill has said he is ready for a new challenge.
The 61-year-old did not mention the role of replacing Giovanni Trapattoni specifically, only to insist he has not been contacted by the FAI, but made it clear he is eager to return to management after a six-month hiatus following his sacking from Sunderland.
“I’ve had no contact from the Irish FA, at this moment,” he said in a pre-recorded interview for BBC Radio Five Live. “And there’s not much more I can say about it.”
However, when asked later in the interview with Clive Woodward, which focused heavily on the subject of international management, whether he would welcome a return to the dugout, the Northern Irishman added: “Am I in a state of equanimity? Am I of composed mind? No, I don’t think so. I think that I’m ready to go”
O’Neill is the hot-favourite to succeed Trapattoni, whose contract was terminated on Wednesday morning following the first away defeat of his tenure, a 1-0 reverse to Austria which left Ireland’s World Cup hopes in tatters.
Chris Hughton and Brian McDermott were also seen as contenders until both ruled themselves out this afternoon, citing their commitments to Norwich City and Leeds United, respectively.
FAI chief executive John Delaney said today the association would not rush into an appointment but former Ireland goalkeeper Shay Given urged him to make the decision in time for the new man to finish the World Cup qualifiers on a high next month.
