Ireland privileged to have John O'Shea involved says Seamus Coleman

Seamus Coleman believes that John O'Shea has "all the materials" to be the Ireland manager, and possesses the perfect temperament to take charge of the national team.

O’Shea was named interim manager of Ireland while the FAI continues to look for a replacement for Stephen Kenny, who left the position in November.

And while the association claims to have a permanent candidate lined up to take charge of the side from April, the captain believes that Irish football is privileged to have someone of O’Shea’s stature involved.

Coleman’s playing career overlapped with O’Shea’s and the Ireland stalwart appears well placed to comment on the interim manager’s ability, and his suitability to his new role.

And the Everton defender did not hold back in praising the attributes of his former team-mate, as he believes that O’Shea is the perfect man for the job for the next two games, while suggesting that the FAI would be very fortunate to keep him involved beyond the upcoming fixtures.

"I don't want to sound like Jake here trying to get in the team!" laughed Coleman, when asked about O’Shea, referencing Jake O’Brien’s comments about looking up to the Manchester United man as a youngster.

"When I came in as a player and the manager was a player at the time, he was someone we all looked up to. For the simple things like the standards around the place, the respect he had for people around the place. It's something I have tried to carry through to the younger players as I got older.

"I have massive respect for the manager and I'm delighted for him to get the opportunity. I know how proud he was to come in as a player, so I can't imagine how proud he is now to lead his national team as a manager.

"Having this man involved with Ireland is a