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.

Photo: TWTD

davetheblue added 09:51 - Jan 12 What worries me is who evans would pick to replace Mick i would love to see matt holland be given a chance
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Lightningboy added 10:15 - Jan 12 AS glad as i'll be to finally see the back of him I don't think things will improve unless we find the right manager who's the right fit for our club - ideally he'll have some town affilliation and be given a reasonable amount of time and money to put a plan in place to at least try and get us back to the standard we were at between 1995 & 2001. Sadly I have zero faith in our owner or Milne to see further than the end of their own noses.

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Cheshire_Blue added 10:16 - Jan 12 wayway, not sure who the 'idiot' is here.
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blackcat added 10:53 - Jan 12 The Lord moves in mysterious ways! Let's all bet on someone else getting the job,that should seal it! 😂
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Elizabeth added 11:00 - Jan 12 Calm down everyone, it won't happen !
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BlueBlood90 added 12:10 - Jan 12 I'll buy your Ryanair flight. Farewell.
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dirtydingusmagee added 14:50 - Jan 12 come on everyone .....PUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHH
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