Ex-Blues boss Mick McCarthy’s return to his former role as manager of the Republic of Ireland has been confirmed with his Town assistant Terry Connor joining him.

The 59-year-old, who was previously in the post between 1996 and 2002, has agreed a two-year deal with Dundalk manager Stephen Kenny set to take charge after Euro 2020. Kenny will leave his role the League of Ireland champions to run the U21s side until that handover.

Connor, who worked with McCarthy throughout his time at Portman Road, will be one of two assistant coaches along with Robbie Keane.

"I'm honoured and excited to be back with the Republic of Ireland. I am delighted that the FAI Board and CEO have given me this opportunity to lead the team to Euro 2020," McCarthy said.

"I have been involved in club football for the last 15 years, so this will be a new challenge but one that I know well.

"I'm delighted to have Terry Connor, a trusted colleague and excellent coach, and Robbie Keane, one of the finest players who I had the pleasure of managing, helping me as assistant coaches.

"I am looking forward to getting started and embracing this challenge to qualify for Euro 2020, where it would be fantastic to play in front of the Ireland supporters in Aviva Stadium."

FAI chief executive John Delaney (pictured with McCarthy at this afternoon's press conference below) added: "This is a very exciting time for Irish football as we are able to welcome back a proven manager at international level in Mick McCarthy and also look to the future with Stephen Kenny.

"Mick was a great player for Ireland and then had a terrific impact as manager by guiding the team to the round of 16 in the 2002 World Cup following a memorable draw with eventual finalists Germany.

"There is no doubt that he knows international football and has the appetite to lead the team forward again.

"Qualifying for Euro 2020 is hugely important considering we are hosting four games at the Aviva Stadium and Mick will set about achieving that as soon as we discover our opponents in next Sunday's draw at Dublin's Convention Centre."

McCarthy and Connor left the Blues after five and a half years in April, while the previous Ireland boss Martin O'Neill and his assistant, former Blues boss Roy Keane, departed their roles last week.

Photo: TWTD

prebbs007 added 19:19 - Nov 25 Swn98... social media a really bad idea ?? Don't think you will find many agreeing with that one. You typing utter dross on here every time you post however may get far more agreement. Moron.
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Cakeman added 19:33 - Nov 25 If he hadn't have been so arrogant, stubborn and pig headed towards the fans in his last season, McCarthy would be seen as one of the best Town managers. For me he crossed the line at Carrow Road. Before anyone mentions it, yes he received some horrible comments but unfortunately when you sit on the top perch at a football club that has to be taken. I am not condoning the stick he received but equally he overstepped the mark with his responses. All history now as we finally have a manager who cares about the fans!

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Sourdough added 19:39 - Nov 25 Congrats to Mick on his appointment. Pity not to see him back in league action. Mick is football royalty. At Ipswich he staved off the relegation that was always bound to happen and which is inevitable this season now that he is gone. Numbskulls, you know not what you did.
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Taricco_Fan added 20:16 - Nov 25 I, for one, wish Mick and Terry all the best.
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warktheline added 20:30 - Nov 25 Sums up where McCarthy is with his career! A 'fill in role' for a woeful International side! All the best!!!!!
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Cloddyseedbed added 20:33 - Nov 25 Just about far enough away from Portman Road to take his attitude and his vision of football to make me happy!
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Swn98 added 21:04 - Nov 25 PREBBS007 the same mentality as bluebore i will not stoop to your levels.
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Swn98 added 21:07 - Nov 25 Strange how the rudest posters on the news site never put threads on the forum!!!! I wonder why.
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timkatieadamitfc added 21:15 - Nov 25 Even though the last seasons atmosphere was toxic I can't believe some people seem to despise him and still slate him, before I make my real point I will say I was one of the 98% majority who wanted him to leave(purely because of our style of play) Look where we were when he took over and see what he did that season, then he got us into play offs all while having to sell any assets we had and not been given adequate funds to replace( selling Murphy when we did was just inexcusable) because of the owner. Look at quality of his loan signings like Fraser/Celina/Lawrence and players he got in on freebies. Then look what happened when most of got what we wanted - a young upcoming manager who wanted a high pressing game with YOUTH(what a fekin joke) and pace - relegation. I do think is a great appointment but won't be able to save us this season but that is purely down to Hursts reign, hope I'm wrong but if I'm not I definitely want PL to stay. Think we need to give MM credit for doing a good job whilst he was here because we've just seen in hursts SHORT time here he's probably condemned us GOOD LUCK MM

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Tractorboy1985 added 21:21 - Nov 25 Absolutely spot on Tim!
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BillyBaxterwasbest added 21:52 - Nov 25 Good luck Mick
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blueboy1981 added 22:20 - Nov 25 Swn98 ........... yet another invite to put up, or shut up. You and your cohorts, now nothing better than insulting name calling from behind the keyboard. Brave of you hey ? .......... I think NOT. The opportunity for you to prove I am a 'moron' as you describe, is only a personal meeting away. Once and for all - PUT UP - OR SHUT UP.
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TimmyH added 22:46 - Nov 25 swn98 said 'PREBBS007 the same mentality as bluebore i will not stoop to your levels.' - hahahahhahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!! You'll probably be able to get some cheap Ryan Air flights over to Dublin...can you stay there?
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TimmyH added 22:48 - Nov 25 By the way ROI were a dull a$sed team before this appointment...can Mick sink them lower?
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prebbs007 added 23:03 - Nov 25 The use of the word moron was sarcastic Timmy due to Swn98 using against anyone who disagrees. Shame you didn't have the intelligence to recognise that. And as for posting threads what does that matter. Swn98 you call people rude but by far the rudest of them all was Dinosaur Muck. He lost all respect and support at Carrow Road no matter what he achieved for us before that. It was and always will be totally inexcusable and if you can't see that you must be plain crazy !!!!!

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algarvefan added 00:45 - Nov 26 Good luck Mick & TC with the ROI job. A good plain spoken, no nonsense manager who did a great job for most of his time here with very little support from the owner. He has my respect and deserves more from others on here.
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bobble added 01:04 - Nov 26 the dark lord must be fuming...
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Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 04:15 - Nov 26 Time to move on, boys and girls. We have a manager I think we can all believe in. Let's leave ROI to its fate, whatever that might be.
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beornioblue added 06:10 - Nov 26 Couldn't give less of a toss. He had a good start but should have been backed after the playoff finish. It didn't work, dragged on too long and put the club in a nosedive. good luck Ireland, at least you'll be harder to beat now but don't expect good football.
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Dissboyitfc added 07:53 - Nov 26 MM was great for us in the first couple of seasons or so, as he is wherever he goes, the ROI have wisely only offered him a 2 year contract. As has been said before, the boring football was one thing , the lack of effort in the cups was another his stubbornness to do things any other way than his was another. But for me his biggest sin was attitude towards the supporters, totally unforgivable and unacceptable, i wish him no harm but the bad over the past 3 years undid and over shadowed the good, i will never forget that! And Gemmini i wish i could mark you down twice for what is probably the worst post of the season! He has gone and i would never welcome him back, he would nt have any different players to work with. At least now the football will be entertaining and we have a manager who gets the fans point of view, youngsters will be getting the chance, and most importantly we have a manager who wants to win,not defend for 90 mins in the hope of a breakaway goal( a tactic that was even used against lower level opponents). I can even see a cup run! We are not in great position in the league, but for the first time in years i feel the club is moving forward, whats not to like!

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robhed7 added 07:53 - Nov 26 Best of luck, Mick! You did great for our beloved club in tough circumstances (with squad and funds compared to others in this division) and I wish you and Terry all the best and success with Ireland.
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timkatieadamitfc added 08:17 - Nov 26 To be fair though dissyboy the ABUSE he took especially the last 6 months was disgraceful and embarrassing, when all he was doing was his job but with absolutely zero support from Evans, other than that couldn't agree more
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dirtydingusmagee added 09:02 - Nov 26 R o I MUST be favourites for next World Cup ,now then .......fooook off . lol.
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Cheshire_Blue added 09:56 - Nov 26 Not good enough for an average Championship Club ( in the eyes of the knockers) but good enough to manage at International level. Just look at the damage done by his departure. You reap what you sow.
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Dissboyitfc added 10:27 - Nov 26 Agree that some of the treatment was overboard but as Ipswich fans we are some of the most patient out there. I can remember us singing super mick McCarthy, that changed because of his disrespect of the paying public. And Cheshire we were never going to move forward with the Dino, at least now we will. He over stayed by a couple of seasons. So relieved he has gone!

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