Republic of Ireland captain Seamus Coleman has claimed that it is a privilege to have John O'Shea on board as interim Irish boss.
O'Shea will manage Ireland against Belgium on Saturday, and three days later his side will face Switzerland before an unnamed permanent boss is installed at the helm in the coming weeks.
Coleman, who is a seasoned veteran for club and country and played with O'Shea when he was with the Ireland squad, believes his now-interim boss deserves all the respect he can get because of the standards he set as a player.
The Donegal native believes the playing squad is also privileged to have him for the next two games.
"When I came in as a player and the manager was a player at the time, he was someone we all looked up to. For the simple things, like the standards around the place and the respect he had for people around the place, it's something I have tried to carry through to the younger players as I got older," he said.
"I have massive respect for the manager, and I'm delighted for him to get the opportunity. I know how proud he was to come in as a player, so I can't imagine how proud he is now to lead his national team as a manager.
"Having this man involved with Ireland is a privilege. The people inside the camp really understand how important it is to have someone like the manager involved."
The Republic of Ireland's Seamus Coleman looks dejected and is consoled by teammate John O'Shea. (Photo by Craig Mercer/CameraSport via Getty Images) )There have been links to other managers with more experience in football. Names like Gus Poyet, Roy Keane, and Lee Carsley, now out of the race, have all been linked to the role. Some have even suggested that O'Shea, if he does a good job, also be considered for the role.
However, Coleman believes that O'Shea's temper and attention to detail would make him an ideal candidate for the full-time role if he were to get it.
"I think the manager has the right temperament for the job. I know from speaking to the younger players who have come into the squad how much they are enjoying their time with the manager in the underage set-up and how welcome he made them feel, getting involved with them and wanting to find out about them.
"He has all the materials to be the Ireland manager, and we have Saturday and Tuesday to think about now. Personally speaking, I am delighted for the manager."
"The manager and his staff have been very intense with the detail and very good, and we’ve enjoyed it; it’s been really good," added Coleman.
"Friendlies or competitive games, it doesn’t matter; see, when you put on that green shirt, it’s like a World Cup final every time, because we’re that proud to play for our country."
Ireland plays Belgium on Saturday at 5 pm.
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