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

dubblue added 13:05 - Nov 26 Obviously wish Mick and Terry the best of luck. Not much talent in the squad at the moment, not helped by the Dark Lord's antics. Talk of Didz getting a recall. Surprised still how some are very negative towards Mick, I think Cakeman's posting probably sums up my attitude towards Mick.
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IpswichT62OldBoy added 13:23 - Nov 26 I wish him all the best with ROI. He did a great job of pulling the club back together, the youth teams, some excellent signings eg Waghorn, and of course saving us from relegation. I could not abide his style and philosophy of football but for the first three seasons we were at least entertained because of league position, if rarely sale of football, however the last couple of years became very unpleasant and it was good for us and him that he left. I do think he is fundamentally a decent man. I dislike Keene much more

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dukey44 added 13:35 - Nov 26 Billybaxter... Knob simple thought u had gone with mick
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busterjames1 added 14:05 - Nov 26 Will be interesting to see what Roy Keane does now !
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SW1_Blue added 14:12 - Nov 26 He can revert back to his 2002 training manual. Up and at 'em
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Gcon added 15:38 - Nov 26 Best of luck, Mick. His progress was stifled by our owner, who completely failed to support him. We will see in January if he has learnt his lesson. Sadly, it's doubtful given that he sold Waghorn a week before the last window closed. We would be in a far better place had Evans resisted his greed and a fast buck.
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Swn98 added 17:57 - Nov 26 Bluebore you realy should stop offering up to people if you can't take it don't post it there's a good fella.
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blueboy1981 added 22:51 - Nov 26 ......... more to the point - how many times do you have to be invited to PUT UP or SHUT UP ......... ?? You would be far more of a creditable person in doing so, than by continuously hiding behind your keyboard slinging verbal abuse, and name calling of all and sundry that disagrees with you. Doesn't take much of a man to do that. The sooner you take that on board the better.

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Gcon added 08:38 - Nov 27 Bluebore. Talking of hiding behind your keyboard and slinging abuse. You just downmarked my comment, directly above. Why don't you explain what it is you disagree with? Put forward a sensible, reasoned post for once instead of posturing like a numbskull bully.
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Swn98 added 11:11 - Nov 27 Well said Gcon.
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dukey44 added 17:07 - Nov 27 Lads and boys why does slating terrible Mick who's long gone now mean we argue amongst ourselves? Apart from Billybaxs.....who hardly ever comments now mick has gone? We all support Town in this bad state we r in at the mo and that was nothing to do with Mick. Owner and the last manager who doesn't deserve a name are to blame..
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blueboy1981 added 17:59 - Nov 27 ......... bring him along with you - WHEN you decide to present yourself in person, and do the abusive name calling. Let's see the colour of the eyes, then do the name calling. I'm available, are you both ? Two of a kind - as is so obvious over a long period of pathetic posts.
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Swn98 added 18:41 - Nov 27 Bluebore i have never got involved in abusive name calling unless the person involved has been abusive to me so cut out the put up and just shut up and act your advancing age!!!!!
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coolcat added 23:59 - Nov 27 Congratulations Mick! Pleased for him. Best of luck :)
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Gcon added 16:21 - Nov 28 idiot....
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