Outspoken Irish football legend Damien Duff has once again claimed that the FAI's pursuit of a new Ireland manager has been embarrassing.
Since sacking Stephen Kenny in November, there has been constant speculation about who will replace the former Ireland boss.
Names like Lee Carsley, Gus Poyet, Robbie Keane, and Kieran McKenna have been linked to the vacant Ireland post. However, after a series of promises that never materialised, the role went to John O'Shea on a temporary basis in March.
The FAI planned to have someone in place by early April but was unable to announce who that was because of "contractual obligations."
That deadline passed, and John O'Shea was presented with the opportunity to take over the Ireland side once again for the June friendlies next week on another temporary basis.
Duff, who has previously slammed the FAI's search for a new Ireland boss and called it an embarrassment, expressed the same sentiments on a podcast.
Dunbin, Ireland: March 26: Ireland caretaker coach John Oshea. (Photo by Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images)“I was so, so pleased for O'Shea that he got to manage his country. It’s something I might never get to do, and it’s the pinnacle of any proud Irishman’s football career," he said on Richie Sadlier’s podcast.
“But the whole process has been absolutely embarrassing. We used to be a football power; we are not anymore. "However the FAI is being run, the whole organisation from top to bottom, I think they have to take the brunt of it.”
Duff also thinks that if O'Shea is offered the role full-time, he shouldn't take it because of the FAI's long-drawn-out process. “John, if he goes and takes it again, okay, great, he might get it full-time, which is absolutely amazing. I’d say he was so proud standing on the touchline at the Aviva, but if I were him, I wouldn’t take it the second time.
"They have left him out to dry. He is just hanging around—"Am I getting it, am I not?". He’s too good a person, and he’s too good a coach to be doing that. I hope he does not take it the wrong way, but I’d encourage John to go on his own journey and coach every day, because that’s where the learning is.”
Ireland play Hungary on Tuesday, June 4, and will then play Portugal the following Tuesday, June 11.
Republic of Ireland Squad: Hungary/Portugal
Goalkeepers: Caoimhin Kelleher (Liverpool), Mark Travers (AFC Bournemouth), Max O'Leary (Bristol City), David Harrington (Fleetwood Town)
Defenders: Seamus Coleman (Everton), Matt Doherty (Wolves), Shane Duffy (Norwich City), Dara O'Shea (Burnley), Jake O'Brien (Lyon), Andrew Omobamidele (Nottingham Forest), Liam Scales (Celtic), Robbie Brady (Preston North End), and Enda Stevens (Stoke City).
Midfielders: Josh Cullen (Burnley), Finn Azaz (Middlesbrough), Jason Knight (Bristol City), Jamie McGrath (Aberdeen), Callum O'Dowda (Cardiff City), Will Smallbone (Southampton), Mark Sykes (Bristol City), and Mikey Johnston (West Bromwich Albion, on loan from Celtic).
Forwards: Sammie Szmodics (Blackburn Rovers), Adam Idah (Celtic, on loan from Norwich City), Troy Parrott (Excelsior, on loan from Tottenham Hotspur), Michael Obafemi (Millwall, on loan from Burnley), Tom Cannon (Leicester City).
