Ireland interim boss O’Shea reckons he missed a courtesy call from Ferguson

JOHN O’SHEA reckons he missed out on a ringing endorsement from Alex Ferguson.

But the FAI are expected to engage Lee Carsley as Ireland’s new head coach next month after refusing to take no for an answer.

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Interim boss O’Shea was on media duty on Monday – postponed by 72 hours because of the snow in Dublin on Friday.

It is not the only thing about the recruitment process which has taken longer than expected with the FAI missing its deadline of appointing a permanent successor to Stephen Kenny by the end of February.

But FAI Director of Football Marc Canham said: “The process of the appointment of the permanent new head coach is very close to the end, nearing the end-point.

“We look forward to announcing that new permanent head coach in early April.

“Existing contractual obligations mean we are not in a position to announce any further details.”

Canham did, however, later confirm that the appointee would begin work immediately in April, as opposed to, say Giovanni Trapattoni, who was announced as Ireland manager in February 2008 but did not start in the role until May that year after he had finished up with Red Bull Salzburg.

Although Anthony Barry, Gus Poyet and Slaven Bilic have all been linked with the job – with Neil Lennon and Chris Coleman ruled out last month – Carsley is expected to be confirmed.

He has been the FAI’s top target since last summer when it began to prepare for life after Kenny.

There have been stumbling blocks surrounding his pay and the budget for his backroom staff.

And Carsley paused talks ahead of this month’s international window when his England Under-21 side have European Championships qualifiers against Azerbaijan and Luxembourg.

But an agreement is thought to be place for the 50-year-old to take over which may include a role for O’Shea on his staff.

For now, though, the ex-Manchester United star is concentrating on the friendlies against Belgium and Switzerland.

And he thinks he may have missed out on a courtesy call from his most famous manager, Ferguson.

O’Shea said: I still would be in contact with him now and again. I had a missed call from a no caller ID on Thursday evening and the only one who still calls me on No Caller ID is Sir Alex.

“I missed him so I’m sure he’ll get back in touch in the next few days because anytime I’ve gone in to a club or got involved with something, he’s always got in touch.

“I know he’s in good form and jet setting around the world winning trophies still within the thoroughbred industry.”