Republic of Ireland: 'Existing contractual arrangements' delaying manager appointment

Marc Canham's comments on Monday appear to indicate that interim boss John O'Shea will not be appointed as permanent Republic manager

Football Association of Ireland director of football Marc Canham says "existing contractual arrangements" are delaying the appointment of a new Republic of Ireland manager.

Canham's comments on Monday appear to rule out interim manager John O'Shea taking the job on a permanent basis.

The FAI's original intention was to announce a new manager before the Uefa Nations League draw on 8 February.

England Under-21 boss Lee Carsley was believed to be the preferred candidate.

However, negotiations with Carsley apparently stalled and he is preparing the England Under-21s for games against Azerbaijan and Luxembourg later this month as they begin the defence of their European title.

Those games take place on 22 and 26 March and it remains to be seen whether 40-time capped Republic midfielder Carsley will be Stephen Kenny's successor when the FAI's latest target date in early April arrives.

"We look forward to announcing that new head coach in early April," Canham said at a news conference on Monday, staged to announce O'Shea as interim boss.

England Under-21s boss Lee Carsley is believed to have been the FAI's preferred candidate for the role since Stephen Kenny's departure

"Existing contractual arrangements mean that we are not in a position to announce any further details at this point but as we have committed to, we will announce that in early April.

"There is a confidentiality issue there but we are near the end of the process."

O'Shea was last week appointed as interim boss to take charge of the Republic in friendlies against Belgium and Switzerland on 23 March and 26 March.

The former Manchester United defender was available to take on the role having left his Birmingham City assistant's position following Wayne Rooney's departure from the club.

Former Republic manager Brian Kerr will be part of O'Shea's management team for the Belgium and Switzerland games.

"I'm only concentrating on these two games," said the Waterford native O'Shea, whose coaching career has included being part of the backroom team of previous Republic boss Kenny in addition to assistant roles at Championship clubs Reading, Stoke City and Birmingham.

"In my head, I've been preparing for this since my late 20s that I'd get into coaching and management.

"I'd feel I'm ready [for the permanent job] but what happens after these games we'll see."

Former Wales manager Chris Coleman was among the candidates for the Republic job only to rule himself out of contention, while ex-Celtic boss Neil Lennon was also linked with the role before the FAI seemingly opted to look elsewhere.