O'Neill set for Republic approach

13 September 2013 11:31

Martin O'Neill could be handed the opportunity to become the new Republic of Ireland manager within days.

It is understood the 61-year-old has been earmarked as the Football Association of Ireland's number one target and that a formal approach is imminent.

The news is hardly unexpected with sources close to the former Sunderland boss having indicated his willingness to talk to the FAI.

Indeed, bookmakers had installed O'Neill as an overwhelming favourite for the post even before Giovanni Trapattoni's exit on Wednesday.

FAI chief executive John Delaney warned the following day that favouritism would not necessarily represent a pointer to his board's decision.

However, O'Neill's name featured prominently in a list of potential candidates acknowledged by Delaney the previous day, and it appears that he could be ready to make his move in the hope of securing a deal as early as next week.

Whether or not the new man, whoever it may be, will take up his post in time for next month's penultimate World Cup qualifier in Germany remains to be seen.

Ireland travel to Cologne on October 11, a day short of a year since they were trounced 6-1 by the same opposition at the Aviva Stadium, a result - or more accurately, a performance - which proved to be the beginning of the end for Trapattoni.

They will bring down the curtain on a disappointing campaign at home to Kazakhstan four days later, and do not have another scheduled fixture until Serbia head for Dublin for a friendly in March next year.

Should O'Neill be offered and accept the job, the trip to Germany could prove a daunting baptism.

Source: PA