FAI interim CEO David Courell refrains from ruling out John O'Shea from permanent Ireland manager search

FAI interim CEO David Courell has acknowledged the frustration felt by supporters over the drawn-out process of appointing a new Republic of Ireland manager.

Wednesday marks six months to the day since Stephen Kenny left his role and despite a few false dawns, the hotseat remains unoccupied, although former Ireland defender John O'Shea has agreed to handle a second international window on an interim basis.

Prior to O'Shea's first two games at the helm against Belgium and Switzerland in March, FAI director of football Marc Canham assured the public that an appointment would be made in early April.

With that self-imposed deadline now long-since passed, Courell has addressed the situation in an interview which will air on Wednesday's edition of Morning Ireland on RTÉ Radio One.

"The level of interest in this has been significant and that just reinforces the engagement of the Irish public in football," he said.

"We understand there's been a degree of frustration that we haven’t yet made an appointment but we are doing it with the best interests of the game in mind. We do not want to compromise and make a short-term appointment when ultimately, the long-term success of the men’s national team remains our paramount ambition.

"That is where we are. We’ve decided to take the benefit of a window where we don’t have any competitive fixtures to ensure that we complete our process and our search to secure the best candidate to take us forward.

"We have been rightly criticised for setting out timelines over recent months so I hope, without the risk of sounding hypocritical, we are committed to ensuring we have someone in the post by 7 September, when we commence the Uefa Nations League competition."

Mayo native Courell was promoted from his