Mick McCarthy has been backed to return as Republic of Ireland manager after Martin O’Neill’s five-year reign came to an abrupt close.
McCarthy, who has been out of work since leaving Ipswich in April, is believed to be keen on the role he relinquished after the 2002 World Cup.
And he has the support of long-time Ireland left-back Ian Harte, who believes there is nobody better equipped for the job.
Who is the best person to become manager of Ireland. If it was me I would have Mick McCarthy all day long!!! Some very talented players in the squad….. let’s hope the @FAIreland make the right choice. ??⚽️
— Ian Harte (@ianharte23) November 21, 2018
Harte tweeted: “Who is the best person to become manager of Ireland? If it was me I would have Mick McCarthy all day long!!!
“Mick is proven at International level. Plus what he achieved at @Official_ITFC was remarkable as on a shoestring budget! And for me he is brilliant at motivating players.”
O’Neill, assistant Roy Keane and their staff parted company with the Football Association of Ireland on Wednesday after its chief executive John Delaney had held talks with O’Neill in London on Tuesday evening.
In a statement released on his behalf by the League Manager’s Association, O’Neill said: “I have had the great honour of managing the Republic of Ireland national football team for the past five years and it is with a heavy heart that I leave this role.
“It was one of my lifetime ambitions to take charge of the Irish senior squad and I would like to thank the FAI board for giving me that opportunity.”
Other names in the frame to succeed O’Neill are Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers, Hibernian counterpart Neil Lennon, Brighton’s Chris Hughton and Dundalk boss Stephen Kenny.
