Martin O'Neill has hinted that he could stay as Republic of Ireland manager, whether the country qualifies for Euro 2016 or not.
The ex-Celtic boss was heavily linked with the vacant post at his former club Leicester City before Claudio Ranieri was appointed by the Foxes.
However, O'Neill has given his clearest indication that both he and the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) are happy to for him to continue guiding the Irish side during their bid to reach the 2018 World Cup.
O'Neill told reporters: "If you're an international manager, obviously results are the be-all and end-all of everything. But if you feel you are making a commitment and you just have the one competition and you get in and get out, I wouldn't be totally sure that's the right thing.
"I think the FAI actually are — hopefully I'm not speaking out of turn — but I think that John [Delaney] and the FAI members are hoping that this would be a longer-term commitment and that they do see that are some new faces coming in.
"And I don't think making faces up for the sake of it, I mean people who'd actually make a contribution over the next 18 months. Things like [the Leicester connection] are going to crop up now and again but, seriously, I'm here, I want to do this job and I certainly wouldn't have wanted to have left it in mid-stream."
Ireland drew their Euro 2016 qualifier with Scotland last month, which leaves O'Neill's side fourth in Group D.
Chris O'Keefe
