'Existing contractual obligations' delaying announcement of new Ireland boss

Centurion John O’Shea was last week installed as interim boss for the home double-header friendly against Belgium and Switzerland on March 23 and 26.

EXISTING CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS: Marc Canham has indicated John O’Shea won’t be assuming the Ireland job on a permanent basis, confirming existing contractual obligations have delayed the announcement until April. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Marc Canham has indicated John O’Shea won’t be assuming the Ireland job on a permanent basis, confirming existing contractual obligations have delayed the announcement until April.

The target set by chief executive Jonathan Hill of having a full-time boss in-situ for the UEFA Nations League draw on February 8 fell asunder when top target Lee Carsley shied away from the proposition in order to concentrate on his England U21 side continuing their Euro defence by facing Azerbaijan and Luxembourg in qualifiers.