John O'Shea has offered a 'straightforward' solution to Ireland's looming managerial crisis.
With the coronavirus pandemic pushing back Ireland's Euro 2020 playoff against Slovakia to Autumn, the question arises as to who will take charge of the Boys in Green when that time comes.
Mick McCarthy was originally penned to take charge of the Euro 2020 campaign, and make way if Ireland don't qualify or after the tournament finals in the summer.
The plan is for Stephen Kenny to then step up from the Ireland Under-21's and take the mantle.
But with the tournament pushed back a year and the playoff now to take place beyond that date - fans and pundits are torn over what the FAI should do.
Ireland legend O'Shea, now a coach with Reading, thinks that it's 'straightforward' that McCarthy should stay and finish what he started.
"For me it's so straightforward - and that is continue with Mick," O'Shea told 2fm's Game On yesterday.
"When someone is given a job of qualifying for a tournament and unforeseen circumstances like this pop up, well I'm sure Stephen Kenny would understand. He will be the next manager after Mick.
"If you're the manager and you sign a contract to take a team to a tournament and you've gotten this far to a play-off, well I'm sure an agreement can be found about deferral of contracts.
"Look it's out of our hands. The FAI will have to deal with that situation. Hopefully it will come to a fairly easy solution if Mick does qualify."
O'Shea thinks that the embattled association need to deal with the issue soon.
And the Waterford native is confident that Kenny will be understanding of the situation and that common ground can be found.
O'Shea added: "It's an early test for the FAI - something that they did not envisage but it's something they are going to have to deal with pretty soon.
"Stephen is looking forward, and rightly so to the honour of managing his country - an amazing honour.
"But I'm confident common ground can be found quite easily."
