At 5/6 The Bookmakers Favourite To Become Next Rep Of Ireland Manager Is A Real Blast From The Past

With the news that both Martin O'Neill and Roy Keane have parted ways with the FAI following a meeting on Wednesday morning - the full statement can be read here - the search is now on for the next Republic of Ireland manager.

It's only a couple of weeks until the qualifying draw is made for Euro 2020 and ideally, it would be great if there was a manager in place by then, December 2nd.

But, these things take time and it's more than likely that the FAI will be focused on picking the right person who can take the team into the qualifiers from March 2019 onwards.

The bookmakers have been piecing together O'Neill's replacement for weeks now since Ireland's disastrous Nations League campaign where they failed to win a game and treated fans to muck nil all draws for the majority of the matches.

At 5/6 and clear favourite above everyone else, is Mick McCarthy.

This would be, of course, McCarthy's second bite of the cherry as he was in charge of the national team between 1996-2002.

He led the country to the second round of the World Cup in 2002 but the achievement was overshadowed by that incident in Saipan with exiting Assistant manager, Keane who was captain under McCarthy at that time.

He too felt the pressure of the public following a poor start to the qualifications for the Euros in 2004 and was replaced by Brian Kerr.

The people's favourite and the one that fans are hoping will get the job is Stephen Kenny - 4/1

The current Dundalk manager spent some time in Scotland but has mostly managed teams in Ireland.

The 47-year-old has been with Bohemians, Shamrock Rovers, Derry City and more over a 20-year period

He has won five League Of Ireland titles, three FAI cups, six League of Ireland cups and recently, almost took Dundalk to the group stages of the Champions League.

Big 'Sam Allardyce' is 10/1. He should have took England to the World Cup in 2018 but was involved in a major 'corruption' scandal and was sacked after only two months at the helm.

Former Ireland midfield maestro, Lee Carsley is at 14/1. He played 40 matches for the country and was one of McCarthy's men at the World Cup in 2002.

He has managed various English teams at an assistant and caretaker level including Coventry City, Sheffield United and Birmingham City as well as brief stints at Brentford and Manchester City's underage squad.

Also at 14/1 is Harry Redknapp. If you're watching I'm A Celeb... you'll know that 'Arry is currently in the jungle. Best known for his 'wheeling and dealing' of players, Redknapp has been in charge of West Ham, Portsmouth, Southampton and Spurs as well as other top flight Premier League clubs.

He saw talent in a young Frank Lampard at West Ham when everyone else was saying that the youngster wasn't good enough, so that could be the encouragement some of the younger members of the Irish squad need.

He's a proven winner and also has experience of Champions League football, which could be crucial for Ireland when they're playing on big nights.

Who would your next choice be?

Next Ireland manager betting: https://t.co/pKdW1L7xts

Mick McCarthy fav at 5/6. Sven is into 25/1 from 66/1 while Mattress Mick is a 500/1 chance. pic.twitter.com/qo7k1jmoC8
— Paddy Power (@paddypower) November 21, 2018

* Odds taken at 21/11/18 at 11:30am.