John O'Shea ready to answer Ireland's call in any managerial capacity

John O'Shea’s first foray into management has whetted his appetite for more, with the Waterford man admitting that returning to the Republic of Ireland dugout as interim manager – or as the permanent successor to Stephen Kenny – would be an opportunity he couldn’t turn down.

O’Shea was at the helm for the scoreless draw with Belgium, the third highest ranked side in the world, and the 1-0 defeat by Switzerland at the Aviva in the last international window in late March.

Irish football affairs continue in a state of flux – on and off the field – with Kenny’s eventual successor uncertain and the FAI now on the lookout for a new chief executive as Jonathan Hill is set to stand down at the end of the month.

Having answered Ireland’s call as a player, with his 118 caps placing him behind only Robbie Keane and Shay Given in the all-time list, and serving as an assistant to Kenny, the 42-year-old confirmed that being offered the manager’s job would be a dream true.

"I’d love it to be the case. If and when, I’d be ready to take on that challenge," O’Shea, who was at the Aviva Stadium on Tuesday as part of the UEFA Europa League Trophy Tour, told RTÉ Sport.

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Ireland are scheduled to face Hungary in Dublin on 4 June and travel to Aveiro to face Portugal a week later, with the friendly fixtures the final games before the Nations League opener against England on 7 September.

Asked if he would be in line to guide Ireland through both games, O'Shea said: "Let's wait and see.

"I think the experience