Boys in green home for coaching course

As revealed by Keith Andrews in his column in this newspaper on Saturday, the Bolton Wanderers midfielder is among a group of current and former Irish internationals who are back in Dublin this week taking their first formal steps on a road that could lead to a career in management.

The FAI has confirmed that, starting today, it is running a combined UEFA A and B Diploma coaching course for a selection of high profile players including John O’Shea, Glenn Whelan, Jonathan Walters, Andy Keogh, Gary Kelly, Stephen Kelly, Paul McShane, Kevin Foley and Alan Quinn.

According to the FAI, since Euro 2012 it has been planning this initiative aimed at current and former players who are interested in developing coaching skills and, says the association, it has been particularly well supported by Irish captain Robbie Keane who, due to club commitments with LA Galaxy, can’t be present for this week’s course but is working on getting another group of players together in December.