Blues boss Mick McCarthy is listed as one bookmaker’s favourite for the Republic of Ireland job should current incumbent Martin O’Neill depart for Stoke City.
O’Neill has held talks with the Potters, although they are also understood to have spoken to Espanyol manager Quique Sanchez Flores, who is believed to be their top target.
Former Irish international centre-half McCarthy was previously in charge of Ireland for more than five years from 1996 and took them to the second round of the 2002 World Cup where they lost on penalties to Spain.
Paddy Power lists the Town manager as their 7-2 favourite - at the time of writing - to succeed O’Neill should he move on, with ex-Blues manager Roy Keane, currently the former Northern Irish international’s assistant, second in the running at 6-1.
McCarthy was strongly linked with a return to the Ireland job in 2013 before O’Neill was handed the role.
Ireland failed to qualify for this summer’s World Cup in Russia after being beaten 5-1 by Denmark in a play-off, all the goals coming in the second leg in Dublin.
O’Neill has verbally agreed a two-year extension to his Ireland contract but is yet to put pen to paper, which means he is currently effectively a free agent.
McCarthy’s Town contract is up at the end of the season and appears likely to leave the Blues, despite the club having an option to keep him for two further seasons.