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The Irish Football Association (FAI) has ruled out Roberto Di Matteo as a candidate for the next permanent coach of the Irish national team.
Di Matteo, who won the Champions League as Chelsea interim manager in 2012, watched Ireland’s friendly against Switzerland at the Aviva Stadium on Tuesday night alongside FAI chief executive Jonathan Hill.
Seeing the pair together quickly led to speculation that the former Italy international could be installed as Stephen Kenny’s replacement, with chances of him being installed when Ireland’s new manager was reduced from 80-1 to 20-1.
But the FAI later confirmed to reporters that the former West Bromwich and Aston Villa manager was not in the running for the job.
The FAI has indicated it will name Kenny’s successor early next month and interim manager John O’Shea, having attracted popular support over the past week.
Roberto Di Matteo (right) was seen at the Aviva Stadium during Ireland’s friendly against Switzerland alongside FAI CEO Jonathan Hill (left).
The former Chelsea manager met Irish great Packie Bonner (right)
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Under the former Manchester United defender, Ireland drew 0-0 against Belgium on Saturday and lost 1-0 to Switzerland on Tuesday.
And O’Shea insisted he is “more than ready” to take over as manager despite his tenure as interim Republic of Ireland manager ending in disappointment.
‘My instinct would tell me that I am more than prepared and qualified to be a coach.
O’Shea has extensive experience in international football as a player (capped 118 times for Ireland) and has worked as a coach with both the under-21 and senior sides under Kenny, as well as holding positions in clubs Reading, Stoke and Birmingham.
Asked if he would ask the FAI for clarity on his chances of being considered for the vacancy, the 42-year-old replied: “I think it’s something we’ll obviously discuss later.
“For me, the focus was fully on the two games, enjoying the moment, learning from it and really understanding it, learning about myself in terms of how I approach the situation, the games, and knowing if I want to do it.” further.
Interim manager John O’Shea insisted he was ready to take on the job full-time.
Ireland lost 1-0 at home to Switzerland on Tuesday after drawing 0-0 with Belgium last week.
‘And look, the emphatic answer on my part would be, yes. But where is that, let’s wait and see.
“As I’ve mentioned before, this has only given me the taste for more, whether it’s with Ireland or club football or whatever the case may be.
‘It’s something I’ve loved every minute of and have been completely absorbed in. “It’s just annoying that we didn’t win either game.”
