Contenders to succeed Mick McCarthy

With Mick McCarthy calling time on his stint as Republic of Ireland manager, the Football Association of Ireland must begin the search for a successor.

Former Leeds boss David O’Leary – the early favourite for the post – has already ruled himself out of the running, but there are some other big names in the reckoning.

Here is a look at the leading contenders.

JOE KINNEAR (odds – 13-8 favourite) – The Luton manager has worked wonders at Kenilworth Road, guiding them out of Division Three and into a strong position in the Second Division. Made his name at Wimbledon, whom he helped to a highest-ever top-flight position of sixth in 1994. He spent over seven years with the Dons before suffering heart problems and taking a break from the game. In his playing days, Kinnear won 26 caps for the Republic as a defender. He rejected the chance to take over from Jack Charlton in 1996, giving McCarthy his big break.

JOHN TOSHACK (5-2) – Toshack possess unrivalled experience of top-class European football, having enjoyed spells in Spain with Real Madrid and Real Sociedad. Made his name as Swansea manager, guiding the Welsh club to the dizzy heights of the top flight before joining Sporting Lisbon. In his short spell at Real Madrid, he guided them to the Spanish title. His international record is more suspect though, having managed Wales for a brief spell before quitting after just one match.

JOHN ALDRIDGE (5-2) – The former Liverpool striker is another Republic legend, having led his country’s strikeforce on 69 occasions. Was one of the driving forces behind the success at Italia 90 and also featured four years later. Has a mixed managerial record having spent five years with Tranmere. Aldridge coped with serious financial problems at Prenton Park to keep Rovers in the First Division, even reaching a Worthington Cup final and the semi-finals of the FA Cup. The lack of funds hit hard though and Aldridge resigned with Rovers destined for relegation to the Second Division.

MARTIN O’NEILL (14-1) – One of the most highly-regarded managers in Britain for his excellent work at Leicester and now Celtic, who he has taken back to the pinnacle of Scottish football. O’Neill won 64 caps for Northern Ireland and while he is yet to commit his long-term future to Celtic he has given no indication that he has any particular longing to coach at international level.

RONNIE WHELAN (20-1): Winner of 53 caps for the Republic of Ireland and was part of Liverpool’s all-conquering team of the 1980s but his managerial record does not make such good reading. Whelan had two seasons at Southend with the Shrimpers suffering relegation to Division Two. He has since coached with varied success at clubs in Greece and Cyprus and would be a surprising choice to succeed McCarthy.

NIALL QUINN (33-1): Quinn is well respected in Ireland and looks set to become a thoughtful and clever coach. However, he may need to cut his teeth somewhere smaller before applying for a job of this magnitude.

KENNY DALGLISH (50-1): The Scot has been out of the game since his spell at Celtic ended in 2000. A success at Liverpool, steering them to the double in 1986 as player-manager while also winning the league with Blackburn in 1995. His time away from the game may count against him.

* All odds supplied by William Hill