Republic of Ireland captain Seamus Coleman says the squad are desperate to do well in their upcoming friendlies against Hungary and Portugal so as to to enhance the chances of interim boss John O'Shea getting the job on a full-time basis.
After this international window comes the start of the Nations League campaign for Ireland. The FAI have promised that a full-time appointment will be made by the time England come to the Aviva Stadium on 7 September.
Speaking ahead of Tuesday's clash with Hungary at the Aviva Stadium, O'Shea is hoping to have a chat with the FAI following this friendly window.
"Let's hope so," said O’Shea, when asked whether he would expect some clarity after next week's game with Portugal.
"I think everyone, including myself, the staff the players, everyone would like clarity on it."
FAI director of football Marc Canham has been around the squad this week, however, O’Shea revealed that the only conversation topics were the upcoming games.
Seamus Coleman says the Republic of Ireland players are desperate to do well to enhance John O'Shea's chances of getting the head coach's job on a permanent basis #RTEsoccer pic.twitter.com/okbh2spVdW
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"Marc was in and around it for a couple of days. It’s straightforward, the conversations have been about preparation and about the game. We’ll have conversations afterwards with anyone I expect I need to."
For Coleman, who played alongside O'Shea in the green of Ireland, the dynamic is different now, but the Everton player has been impressed with what the Waterford man has offered so far in his role as interim boss.
"He's been great and that's what he is to me now, my manager, my boss," said Coleman, when speaking to RTÉ Sport's Dave Kelly.
"That separation was made very quickly. I think everyone knows what the manager is about. He's been very impressive on the training ground along with Paddy [McCarthy], Glen [Whelan] and Rene [Gilmartin], really impressive. I've got nothing to gain by saying that; there's no secret about it. I'm getting older and coming to the end. I may not be around for too much longer by talking John up.
"I've been really impressed by him around the place, really impressed with his preparation and how he is with all the players and those younger players."
Whatever the direction the managerial hunt takes, Coleman was at pains to stress the importance of the two upcoming games and getting a win for the man in temporary charge.
"For us lads it's about doing as well as we can and getting a couple of results. We want to do as well as we possibly can for the manager. We see how much he cares and how much his country means to him. Our focus now is doing as well as we possibly can for him, to hopefully give him a chance of possibly getting the job."
Coleman will be part of Everton's plan for a 16th season when the Premier League resumes in August.
And while he openly admits the engine doesn't clock up as much miles on the pitch now, the 35-year-old will know himself when it's time to call it a day.
When asked about retirement, he responded: "Until I maybe feel it on the pitch, feel it on the training ground when I'm playing against top players every day, or when players are going past me, but of now I still feel capable of doing a job."
"My game has adapted; my game has changed. I'm not the flying full-back I was seven or eight years ago, getting up and down the pitch.
"I still enjoy it and as people will tell me 'you'll be a long time retired'. It's a tough grind at times because I care so much about the football club. I feel good, I feel fit. I've had a couple of injuries and that does takes its toll on the body, but it keeps you fresh as well as you've been out of the game for periods. I'm not waking up in the morning shattered or knackered, bones aching, I feel good."
Watch Sweden v Republic of Ireland in Euro 2025 qualifying on Tuesday from 5pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player, follow a live blog on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app and listen to commentary on an extended Game On with 2fm
Watch Republic of Ireland v Hungary (7.45pm) on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player, follow a live blog on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app and listen to commentary on RTÉ Radio 1 Extra from 7.40pm
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