Former Celtic and Sunderland boss Martin O’Neill held talks with FAI headhunters Ray Houghton and Ruud Dokter earlier this week with Blues boss Mick McCarthy due to speak to them next week, according to reports in Ireland.
O’Neill, now the favourite with some bookmakers after his odds shortened significantly yesterday, was meeting Houghton and Dokter for the second time, the Irish Examiner reports, but has yet to firm up his interest in the job.
It’s believed that the 61-year-old former Northern Ireland international has been considering whether to enter international management or look for another domestic club and it’s reported that he has recently rebuffed interest from an unnamed side.
McCarthy, 54, is reportedly set to hold talks with the Houghton and Dokter on Monday, although we understand the Blues are still to receive any contact from the FAI with Town having to give permission for discussions to take place. The Blues boss is said to be the last man the pair plan to speak to.
Former Town manager Roy Keane is also still believed to be to be on what’s generally regarded to be a three-man short-list, although other candidates may still be considered. However, Dutchman Guus Hiddink, who has been viewed as another potential target, is reportedly not in the running.
If McCarthy were to leave the Blues for Ireland, it’s expected that he would take his assistant Terry Connor and scouts Dave Bowman and Ian Evans, who both worked with him during his previous spell as Irish boss, while Town U21 coach Mark Kennedy could also join his staff.
Meanwhile, former Ireland international Kevin Kilbane, who backs McCarthy for the job, says he has sympathy with the Town manager’s current position: "It must be so difficult for Mick.
"He’s preparing his team every week at Ipswich. I was in there with the BBC the other week and you hear the questions — he’s getting asked about the job and it’s got to be difficult for him.
"He’s in a difficult position — if he is targeted, you should be going to get him. But it puts people in difficult positions with the length of this process that’s in place.
"Mick’s the prime example of that. He’s going to get questions about it until a decision is made. I understand they’ve probably got to touch all bases, but if they want Mick they should do it now.”