Pursuit of new Irish manager to ‘accelerate’ in coming weeks

THE FAI’s pursuit of a new Republic of Ireland manager will “accelerate” in the coming weeks, senior Merrion Square sources revealed yesterday.

The Association’s representatives are expected to begin direct talks with their preferred candidate to replace Brian Kerr shortly, with Martin O’Neill still the bookmakers favourite to take the post.

The pre-Christmas moves suggest that the new coach will be well in place before the Republic’s next friendly in March, though in O’Neill’s case, that will still depend on his family circumstances and the health of his wife Geraldine.

A move for Roy Keane has been all but ruled out - the Corkman’s departure from Manchester United last Friday has not changed the direction the FAI is taking on the managerial situation, according to a well-placed source.

Neither does there appear to be any rush to make contact with ex-England coach Terry Venables, who touted himself for the job last week, describing the potential of the job as “interesting.”

Meanwhile, the FAI has agreed a double-header for Cup final day at Lansdowne Road on Sunday, December 4, with the Women’s FAI Cup preceeding the men’s clash of Cork City and Drogheda Utd.

The final of the WFAI Cup between Peamount United and last year’s beaten finalists Dundalk will kick off at midday and the final of the FAI Carlsberg Cup will follow at 3.15pm.