Seamus Coleman and Robbie Brady have urged Martin O’Neill and Roy Keane to sign new contracts before the World Cup qualifiers get under way against Serbia in September.
It was announced by FAI Chief Executive John Delaney before the tournament that O’Neill and Keane had agreed a new contract, but they have not yet pen to paper and only a verbal agreement is in place.
O’Neill was quizzed on the contract situation at his post-tournament debrief with the media at the team’s training base in Versailles later this morning, where he indicated he would be happy to remain in the role.
Both Coleman and Brady are keen to kick on from the successes of Euro 2016, despite Ireland’s defeat in the last 16 by France in Lyon yesterday, and hope O’Neill and Keane are around to do that.
"I think there are positives to be taken from this tournament going on now to the World Cup," said Brady, who scored two of Ireland’s three goals at the competition.
"I think they've installed something into the team, installed belief and having us organised and wanting us to play a certain way and I think that's shown here.
"To lock horns with some of the best teams in the world and give more than a good account of ourselves is a great credit to ourselves and the staff. I'll be delighted if they manage to get it done."
His captain on the day, and a strong contender to wear the armband for the upcoming campaign, echoed the comments about the management duo, who have been in the roles for the past two-and-a-half years.
"I can't speak highly enough of both of them," said Coleman. "Martin is the kind of manager that you really want to go out and do your best for him.
"He's a great motivator and a great manager. It would be great if he could stay on because we've learnt a lot from him."
With the expected retirement of Robbie Keane, Shay Given and John O’Shea, Coleman is now one of the senior pros in the dressing room.
It’s over to the new generation to take on the mantle of guiding Ireland to major championships, which will be no easy task with Austria, Wales and Georgia also in the group.
"I think some of the young lads came of age," said Coleman.
"Robbie (Brady), Jeff (Hendrick), Big (Shane) Duffy. James (McCarthy), the last couple of games, has been brilliant. I think the future is bright."
