Former Manchester United defender John O’Shea has been appointed as the head coach of the Republic of Ireland national team. This announcement comes after his distinguished playing career, during which he made 118 appearances for Ireland over 17 years.
John O’Shea will be taking charge of the upcoming friendlies against Belgium and Switzerland in March. Alongside him, Crystal Palace assistant boss Paddy McCarthy will be supporting him during the international window. O’Shea expressed his excitement and honor at the opportunity to lead the team during the March international window, showcasing his immense pride in representing his country both as a player and now as a coach.
Having previously served as an assistant coach under former Ireland boss Stephen Kenny, O’Shea brings a wealth of coaching experience to his new role. He has also spent time as an assistant coach for Ireland’s under-21 side and most recently worked with Wayne Rooney at Birmingham City before departing in January.
During his playing career, O’Shea made 256 appearances for Manchester United over 12 years, winning a total of 14 trophies with the club. He later went on to play for Sunderland and Reading before retiring from professional football in 2019.
Looking ahead, the Ireland FA has announced that they will be naming a permanent head coach in April. In the meantime, John O’Shea will be focusing on leading the team to victory in the upcoming friendlies and is confident in the abilities of the players to achieve positive results on the pitch.
Overall, John O’Shea’s appointment as the head coach of the Republic of Ireland national team signals an exciting new chapter for Irish football. With his experience both as a player and a coach, O’Shea is well-equipped to guide the team to success and continue the proud tradition of the Irish national team.