Paul McGrath believes Stephen Kenny might not be the man to lead Ireland forward.
The Boys in Green have picked up just two points from a possible 15 in their World Cup qualifying group and will not be going to Qatar next year.
Kenny's side were unlucky to lose away to Portugal earlier this month, but two of their recent home games resulted in a draw with Azerbaijan and an embarrassing loss to Luxembourg.
They most recently drew 1-1 with Serbia and Ireland great McGrath doesn't see things improving under the former Dundalk boss.
In an interview with RTE 2fm's Game On, which is set to air on Wednesday evening, McGrath said: "I can understand Stephen trying to play the kind of football he wants, to catch up the rest of Europe, but I just don’t see why we should abandon other options.
"If you can’t play out, and you are getting caught every time you try and play out, I genuinely think as an ex-footballer, you have to have a second option.
"You have to have that ball over the top. You have to have someone reading what you are going to do so we can chase it.
"You can’t just keep playing football in the middle of the pitch, making nice arcs and circles. I think you have to put the ball into the box if you want to score goals. Goals are what we are lacking at the moment."
Kenny has yet to win a competitive game as Ireland boss, having lost seven and drawn four since taking over from Mick McCarthy in April 2020.
McGrath added: "When I watched the Portugal and Serbia games, the football that the lads played, in midfield and playing out from the back, they really are good players, but I have to say, it’s my belief that Stephen might not be the person to take us on to that level where we are starting to win things again.
"I like Stephen, I love what he done with Dundalk, but there is something about Stephen in his way with the team at the moment, I don’t think he is going to change just because we are losing or drawing most games.
"I think we do need to change. If we are losing games, we need to go to something else to try and win.
"I think he has a tough job. Maybe some of the players aren’t as good as players we have had in the past, and I understand every country goes through that, but it would be nice to get a couple of wins and I hope Stephen does.
"Maybe he will prove me wrong."
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