King set to take reins as interim Irish boss

The FAI Board Of Management is set to meet today to discuss the succession to Giovanni Trapattoni, as it looks increasingly likely that U21 head coach Noel King will be named interim manager.

In the absence of a quick appointment of the leading candidate Martin O’Neill, precedent would suggest King’s temporary elevation to the senior post, a caretaker role previously undertaken by his predecessor as U21 boss, Don Givens.

Former international Givens took charge for a scoreless draw with Greece in 2002 following the resignation of Mick McCarthy and, after the departure of Steve Staunton, he again stepped into the breach for the European Championship qualifier in Cardiff in 2007, a game which ended in a 2-2 draw.