John O’Shea is planning to build a side in his own image when it comes to taking charge of national team for the upcoming games with Belgium and Switzerland.
The former Manchester United defender has two games to kick off the new era for Ireland ahead of the appointment of a permananent successor to Stephen Kenny in April, and he is planning to bring a mix of styles to make an immediate impact in the role.
O’Shea does not appear to be in the running for that particular permanent post, however, he may remain involved in some capacity with the FAI. In the meantime, he is fully focused on the task in hand.
Having worked as a coach during Kenny’s tenure, O’Shea has the benefit of already enjoying a relationship with the squad, which will allow him to hit the ground running for the week-long build-up to the first game of the upcoming double-header.
And the new man in charge is planning to make it an enjoyable reunion with his new squad, which should bear a strong resemblance to those selected during the failed Euro 2024 campaign.
O’Shea has yet to talk to the players about the international window, wanting first to get through his maiden media assignment before the real work begins with less than two weeks to compile a squad before his side takes on Belgium on 23 March at the Aviva, followed by another home clash with Switzerland three days later.
"It will be very [much] in terms of my personality, in terms of the camp that it is going to be," said O’Shea, speaking at Monday’s press conference.
"Very relaxed and very enjoyable, but also a drive to win games, and perform, and I know the lads will enjoy the training sessions, and the details that the coaches and analysts will go in for them as well over the ten days. And obviously getting a couple of wins."
Since retiring in 2019, O’Shea has been building his coaching credentials, working at Reading, the Ireland Under-21s, the senior side and Birmingham, and the 42-year-old believes that he is now primed to pursue a career as a number one.
"Yeah, I do feel I'm ready," said O'Shea.
"In my head, I’ve been preparing for an opportunity like this for a long time. Obviously it’s two games, but in my head I’ve been preparing since my late-20s, 30s that I’m going to get into the coaching side of things, management side of things.
"So it’s been in the thought process for a while. I would feel I’m ready, but ultimately I am fully focused on these two games, getting the squad together and preparing everyone for that. What happens after that, we’ll see.
"I feel the assistant roles that I've had, that I am ready to take the next step but I'm more than willing going forward to have conversations about different opportunities whether that be on coaching staffs as well."
O’Shea’s playing career also brings a wealth of experience to the role having played for over a decade at Manchester United, while amassing a remarkable 118 caps for the Republic of Ireland.
And the Deise man said that being vocal in the dressing room was a natural part of his career at both club level and while playing for his country.
"I was at Manchester United for 13 years and in the first-team dressing room for nine years, so my voice must have got somewhere," said O’Shea.
"I didn’t feel that just because I was going from Manchester United to the Republic of Ireland that my voice was going to be heard more over here, it was just an incredible honour every time you were picked to play for Ireland.
"That was a natural thing for me, and obviously I’m just looking forward now. The big thing for me is getting fully focused now on Belgium and Switzerland, the preparation for that, because they are two very exciting and tough games."
And having worked alongside Kenny, where there was a very clear philosophy and style of play expected, O’Shea now has to implement his own way of playing the game, and it is clear that a firm focus on winning games will be very much to the forefront of his mentality.
"Getting the best out of the players available will be a key part," said O’Shea.
"We'll focus on the opposition and how we can exploit them. But basically, how do we get us winning as quickly as possible, in terms of Belgium and Switzerland in Dublin?
"It's not just a case of playing out from the back. Teams mix it up when they have to. We will be able to mix it up when we need to, play when we need to and fight when we need to.
"It will be a mixture of everything."
O’Shea’s first squad is set to be named on 14 March, and while he would not go into specifics, he was asked about the potential of Sammie Szmodics getting another call-up.
The Blackburn Rovers man has been in fine form this season – the current top scorer in the Championship – and while he has been named in previous squads, he has yet to play in green.
"There is every chance I will be getting in touch with everyone available for the next two games over the next two, three days," said O’Shea when asked about Szmodics.
"He is scoring lots of goals. Obviously a very important player for Blackburn. Young Andy Moran has linked up with him for plenty of goals as well this season. We will wait and see over the next couple of days."
Seamus Coleman was another player mentioned in relation to potential involvement later this month.
"Of course I’ll be speaking to Seamus with the experience, as well as the young blood which will be very important for these two games," said O’Shea.
O’Shea also revealed that he has had a busy few days since being named interim head coach and one missed call in particular, which he expects came from a man that, no doubt, he would be aspiring to emulate throughout his managerial career.
"I had a missed call from a No Caller ID on Thursday evening and the only one who still calls me on No Caller ID is Sir Alex," said O’Shea.
"I'm sure he'll get back in touch in the next few days because anytime I've gone in to a club or got involved with something, he's always got in touch.
"I know he's in good form and jet setting around the world winning trophies still within the thoroughbred industry."
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