Mike Grath has called for the Republic of Ireland to sack Stephen Kenny and tipped Neil Lennon as a potential replacement.
The Irish suffered a humiliating defeat to Luxembourg in their World Cup qualifiers as Kenny still looks for his first win as boss.
And McGrath, who played for Ireland between 1985 and 1997, reckon they should cut their losses with Kenny.
He also floated the idea of Lennon as his possible successor who has been out of working since leaving Celtic.
He wrote in his Irish Independent column: “I never like kicking a man when he’s down. I was down myself many a day. But I’m sorry, Stephen Kenny – it is time to go.
“International football management is about making the most of what you have got.
“We’re now out of the World Cup realistically. We’re not going to make a play-off with this result hanging around the team like a noose around our necks. So the FAI have to get in a new leader for Irish football with a bit of big-time experience, who can make the best of what we have.
“Is there anyone out there? Maybe Neil Lennon would take on the job?
“I can’t think of too many others who’d be rushing to get involved when it is clear the country is going through a phase where we just don’t have the football talent.
“The money is not out in Abbotstown to get in a big name who would do the job for the dosh and shut his eyes to the other problems.
“But the simple fact is that Qatar 2022 is over for us now.”
