Robson still favourite as FAI travel to England

THE identity of the next Republic of Ireland manager will move a big step closer to being decided this week when the three men heading the FAI’s search fly to England to interview some of the leading candidates.

FAI president Milo Corcoran, along with treasurer John Delaney and Kevin Fahey, the acting general secretary and third man on the panel who will decide who succeeds Mick McCarthy, are due to conduct interviews with up to six contenders at a secret location, possibly in Manchester.

Former Middlesbrough manager Bryan Robson is still among the favourites for the job, especially as he has a good relationship with Roy Keane and could persuade him to play for his country in the Euro 2004 qualifying double-header in Georgia and Albania in March and April.