Johnny McDonnell: John O'Shea-led group a better bet for Ireland than Gus Poyet

Retaining John O'Shea and the rest of the Republic of Ireland interim management team on a permanent basis should be the way forward taken by the FAI rather than pursuing an option like Gus Poyet, according to Johnny McDonnell and Eoin Doyle.

Former Manchester United and Ireland defender O'Shea and a temporary coaching team comprised of Crystal Palace first-team coach Paddy McCarthy, Glenn Whelan and Brian Kerr, oversaw the Boys in Green's recent friendlies against Belgium and Switzerland.

The first of those ended in an encouraging 0-0 draw against an admittedly under-strength Belgian side on Saturday before suffering a narrow loss to Switzerland on Tuesday.

In the aftermath, O'Shea said he was "more than ready and capable to be a manager" amid continued speculation about the permanent vacancy following the parting of ways with Stephen Kenny last November.

'Gus Poyet? No' - Johnny McDonnell would prefer to see the interim management team retained rather than plump for Poyet