Manchester United legend emerges as shock new favourite for Rep of Ireland job

A new favourite for the Republic of Ireland manager’s position has emerged – and it’s not who you think it may be.

Man Utd icon’s Roy Keane and Ole Solskjaer have been heavily linked with the job in recent months but it’s not them.

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And their treble winning teammate John O’Shea, but SunSport understands that O’Shea – who took interim charge for the matches against Belgium and Switzerland last month – is not viewed as an option for the role on a permanent basis.

Now former Man Utd skipper and centre-back Steve Bruce is the latest favourite to land the job this week with all the major bookmakers in the UK and Ireland.

He’s odds have plummeted into 6/4 on average across markets to succeed Stephen Kenny as gaffer.

63-year-old Bruce has managed a whole host of clubs, most recently West Bromwich Albion and Newcastle United.

His son Alex earned two-caps for Republic of Ireland in 2007/8 before going on to play for Northern Ireland in 2014.

The FAI’s hunt for a replacement for Stephen Kenny surpassed 150 days.

‘Early April’ had initially been pinpointed by director of football Marc Canham as D-Day(s).

However, last week the Association alerted media members to Wednesday or Thursday of this week as the new expected date to keep free in their calendars.

But according to The Irish Examiner, the goalposts are being moved back once again.

Should this prove the case, it will cause yet more embarrassment for staff in Abbotstown.

That Monday brought word of Jonathan Hill’s departure as chief executive at the end of the month is surely a factor into their latest plans hitting a road bump.

The identity of who will eventually be named Stephen Kenny’s permanent successor remains unknown.