Former international skipper Steve Staunton is on the verge of being appointed as the next manager of the Irish international team with talks involving the 36-year-old Louthman, his would-be "adviser" Bobby Robson, and leading FAI officials having reached an advanced stage in recent days.
All of the parties involved were keeping their heads down yesterday but the negotiations are said to have reached the stage where there are mainly loose ends to be sorted out and a deal could be in place by the end of this week with Stuanton and Robson being unveiled as early as next week in Dublin.
Details of the contractual arrangements between the various parties remain sketchy at this stage but it seems both men are in line for four-year deals, something that would, in Robson's case, take him past his 76th birthday.
Other roles within the management team are being discussed but it is believed Alan Kelly who, like Staunton, attended Mick McCarthy's press conference in the immediate aftermath of Roy Keane's sending home from Saipan, is a likely candidate for the goalkeeping coach's job. The third player at the top table with McCarthy that night, Niall Quinn, is not expected to be involved.
Ireland and Crystal Palace Striker Clinton Morrison believes the duo have the right mix to restore pride and guide the team in the right direction.
"It would be good," insisted Morrison. "A lot of the players know `Stan' [Staunton], so it would be a good appointment, and if he brings Bobby Robson in with him that would be brilliant because he has got great experience."
Robson, who has enjoyed a stunning career in management with Ipswich, PSV Eindhoven, Sporting Lisbon, Porto, Barcelona and Newcastle, will take on a full-time role, although his remit has yet to be finalised.
In particular, the eight years he spent in charge of England should prove invaluable to Staunton, who only retired as a player from the international scene when Ireland bowed out of the 2002 World Cup finals following a second-round penalty shoot-out defeat to Spain.
His current knowledge of the Irish scene may stand him in good stead, according to Morrison.
"He helped a lot of the young players when I was around him - and I hope he still likes me," quipped Morrison. "But he was friendly with all the players and got on with them, and although it will be difficult for him, I think he is a professional man and he knows he is there as a manager.
"As for Bobby, he has got great experience. He has been a top manager wherever he has gone, and he has won trophies.
"I will have to control my tongue a bit, and just listen and learn."
Staunton's first game in charge, should he be appointed, will be a friendly against Sweden at Lansdowne Road on March 1st.
That will begin a crucial six-month countdown to the start of the qualification programme for the 2008 European Championship.