James McClean says boss hunt 'a bit of a shambles' as he backs John O'Shea

James McClean said the search for the next Republic of Ireland head coach has been "a bit of a shambles" as he backed John O'Shea to get the job on a permanent basis.

The Derry man helped Wrexham to a 6-0 win against Forest Green Rovers on Saturday that sealed promotion to League One.

He has retired from international duty, making his final appearance for Ireland in last November's 1-1 draw against New Zealand. Stephen Kenny's tenure as boss also ended after that match, but the hunt for his successor rumbles on.

The FAI appointed O'Shea on an interim basis for the March friendlies against Belgium and Switzerland, suggesting they would name their man in early April.

However the wait for white smoke continues, with McClean airing his hope that ex-Manchester United defender O'Shea is given the reins permanently.

"The way the FAI has gone about it has been a bit of a shambles really," McClean told Dublin Live at an autism awareness event on behalf of the charity AsIAm.

"It seems that they're just trying whoever’s available. John’s a great football man, a lot of knowledge in the game, I don’t see what they’d be losing giving it to John if I’m honest.

"He’s quite a likeable man, he’s good with the lads, he knows the game inside out, been there and done it at the highest level.

"I think they could do a lot worse than give it to John."

Back in September 2023 McClean opened up about his own autism diagnosis on The Late Late Show.

After McClean's daughter Willow Ivy had been diagnosed with autism, the 34-year-old decided to get tested and discovered he was also on the spectrum.

"Going public, I thought it would help raise a bit of awareness, and it has and thankfully for the better," he added on Wednesday.

"The best way to sum it up, it was