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

BlueBlood90 added 15:25 - Nov 25 'Republic of Ireland boss Mick McCarthy happy to take a point following his sides 0-0 draw at San Marino'.
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OnlyOneSuperJim added 15:30 - Nov 25 Best of luck Mick Done a decent job here despite what a minority of fans here believe
28

geminimustang added 15:35 - Nov 25 In two years time,maybe he'll come back to ITFC.I don't want to be negative but i wish he was here now.This team needs a miracle.PL is saying all the right things but it's the team i'm worried about.
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runaround added 15:37 - Nov 25 Good luck Mick. Be interesting to see if ROI team adopt the same tactics his club teams have. Guessing Tabby & Dougie might get an international recall!
8

LWNR2013 added 15:39 - Nov 25 ...did a decent job for the owner but not the vast majority of the fans!
8

osborne added 16:02 - Nov 25 Good luck Mick and Terry. Hoping to see you enjoy success with Ireland!
20

PositivelyPortman added 16:03 - Nov 25 In all seriousness, ROI must be desperate if that's the best they can attract.
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heathen66 added 16:13 - Nov 25 Real Shame Hoping he was going to get a struggling Championship job and take some of the 'top bloke' hoofers with him. Having only had offers from China and Qatar obviously jumped at the chance. I honestly hope it goes ok for him as we should not forget what he done for us at the start of his management for us, but I do fear for the RoI and their fans. To me this is a backwards step, but hope I am proved wrong

4

Swn98 added 16:16 - Nov 25 There we are Bluebore told you he would get another job in November. Good luck MM and TC.
2

Walk_the_Wark added 16:26 - Nov 25 Hahahahahahahahaha
1

runningout added 16:34 - Nov 25 Hope MM and TC do the business with ROI
5

ChrisFelix added 16:38 - Nov 25 Do Skuse & Chambers have Irish relatives I wonder
0

Skip73 added 17:23 - Nov 25 Congratulations and good Luck Mick. Not many comments from the 'He can't get another job' brigade on here at the moment, funny that...
4

PhilTWTD added 17:26 - Nov 25 chrishants Chambo does indeed quaify for Ireland! Got his papers sorted on that front back when he was at Forest but never received a call.
8

surgery added 17:40 - Nov 25 Wonder why?
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blueboy1981 added 17:45 - Nov 25 ....... to the sour lemon - yes he's got his job in November, just as I predicted he would, when a desperate cause came calling. First call Chambo' - only joking, but wouldn't be surprised ..... !!
3

Swn98 added 17:50 - Nov 25 What a sad person you are bluebore you are one of the reasons social media is a Really bad invention.
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blueboy1981 added 17:55 - Nov 25 ....... maybe he'll cancel his season ticket now, and follow his maestro to the odd game ROI have all season ! We can but hope.
1

ITFCsince73 added 17:55 - Nov 25 Poor Ireland, is all I have to say Yes done a ok job when there previous. But that was nearly 20 yrs ago. Football has changed a hell of a lot in that time. MM only knows a style of 20 yrs ago. Which is a shame for Ireland.
7

blueboy1981 added 17:57 - Nov 25 ....... don't contribute then - your choice. No one forces you to participate, or hadn't the penny dropped ?
4

Tractorboy1985 added 18:04 - Nov 25 When will fans give credit to the man?? He worked miracles considering the budget he was given from our pathetic owner!! We are now seeing what a good job he did and the pulling power of Wurst! Good luck mick! Yes your football isn't very entertaining but you got results and you made Ipswich compete in the championship! I'm very content with lambert now as our messiah but feel it's too late to keep us in the championship due to our inept owner and woeful previous manager! COYB

4

midastouch added 18:18 - Nov 25
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midastouch added 18:24 - Nov 25
1

DurhamTownFan added 18:39 - Nov 25 Struggling to score with an old-fashioned manager and then they sack him for an old-fashioned manager not exactly renowned for his free-scoring football. My Irish mate was pretty underwhelmed by this, butthen I have been moaning about MM to him for about three years!
6

dukey44 added 19:01 - Nov 25 Who cares he's in our history now? Hope they like long ball in Ireland.... Or is that a different game over there?
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