John O'Shea is not looking beyond the upcoming games against Belgium and Switzerland as he begins his tenure as interim head coach of the Republic of Ireland.
The former Manchester United man will take charge of the national side for this month’s friendly double-header before the FAI confirms the permanent candidate next month.
And while O’Shea’s focus is firmly eyeing the two immediate games, he would not rule out remaining involved with the new-look regime going into the summer games and beyond to the Nations League campaign, which starts in September.
It’s a case of "we’ll see what happens" for O’Shea who also spoke about his pride and honour in managing his national side for the upcoming matches.
"My focus only is on these two games, Belgium and Switzerland," said O’Shea, speaking to the media for the first time since his recent appointment.
"What an amazing honour to get a chance to manage my country. When I got the message from Marc a few days ago, just over a week ago, an amazing feeling, very proud obviously… [from] helping out with the 21s and being involved with the senior team, and then having the chance to build a coaching staff quite quickly, and prepare for two high profile friendly games at the Aviva with hopefully a big support behind us, it’s an amazing feeling and I can’t wait for it to come around really."
O’Shea revealed that he has spoken to the FAI regarding the future and while he admitted that he is always "up for the conversation", he added that it will have to wait until the March fixtures are completed.
"That’s something for further down the line," said O’Shea. "At the minute I’ve been given a chance to lead the team for the friendlies against Belgium and Switzerland.
"Going forward, who knows. I have spoken to Marc [Canham] about this before. When management changes or things happen, everyone has their own ideas, head coaches have their own ideas etc.
"As always, I’m up for the conversation, but that is stuff for further down the line. My full focus is now for a couple of weeks away, for two amazing games to be looking forward to, and over the next two weeks getting out to games, speaking to all the lads hopefully involved in the squad and hopefully everyone stays fit as well."
O’Shea’s chance to lead the national team has come as a result of the FAI being unable to fill the vacancy since the departure of Stephen Kenny from the role five months ago.
And while the players may have been expecting a new head coach in place for the March games, O’Shea’s involvement will, at least, bring continuity to the international window, with him having been involved in a coaching role under Kenny.
"I hope they just have the enthusiasm they always have coming into the Irish camps, when they do turn up and arrive in Dublin they show the enthusiasm they always have," said O’Shea, when asked was he concerned with the potential of an anti-climactic feel to the first meet-up.
"I purposely didn’t speak to any of the lads who are going to potentially be in the squad until I got this press conference out of the way, because I just wanted to fully focus on that and then obviously just relax.
"When I do speak to the boys, I am going to stress to them how important the two games will be for them going forward, because of who might be watching the games.
"Whoever might be involved going forward wants to see the players performing and wants to see who wants to get Ireland back to qualifying for tournaments.
"If they come into the camp they’ll know they will have a very good 10 days and hopefully two good results to back it up."
While Glenn Whelan and Paddy McCarthy will work with O’Shea in a coaching capacity, former Ireland manager, Brian Kerr, has been added to the ticket in the role of a technical advisor, and the Waterford man is looking forward to renewing acquaintances with his former manager.
"This is going back a long time, the relationship I have with Brian," said O’Shea.
"It was a collaborative approach. I spoke to Marc and obviously we were bouncing ideas around about staff, different things, procedures and names were coming up.
"When I heard Brian’s name, I was like, yes, that sounds right to me, because I know, having spoken to him, his enthusiasm. Not only that, his knowledge will be invaluable to not only the coaching staff, but the players as well.
"Obviously he has been in constant contact as well, quite recently too. I can’t wait for the players to get to know his knowledge too and to see what he is all about in terms of preparation for a game and the reaction he gets from people too.
"I know he will be a big boost for everyone involved."
