and then there were six ... compiled by Emmet Malone

Peter Reid

Age: 45

Current status: Unemployed

Has much in common with Robson, although to be fair Reid has never spent anything like the same amount of money achieving fairly little. Has strong Irish roots and seemed determined during the latter stages of his time at Sunderland to surround himself with the half of the national team he could afford.

Not regarded as much of a coach, though, and even after suggesting that he would rectify the situation at the end of last season, he instead hired the entirely inexperienced Niall Quinn to help him sort out the squad's shortcomings.

Reid is a very likebale figure and he certainly knows the game, but there has been little of late to suggest that he is the man to turn around the national team's fortunes.

Philippe Troussier

Age: 47

Current status: Unemployed.

Made his name in Africa, first as manager of Ivory Coast club Asec Abidjan and then as coach to the country's national team. Since then he has had stints with Nigeria, who he managed to the 1998 World Cup; Burkino Faso, who achieved a remarkable fourth in the African Cup of Nations under his guidance, and then South Africa, who he led at the '98 World Cup where disciplinary problems resulted in early elimination. He subsequently coached Japan through last summer's World Cup finals.

Troussier is somewhat eccentric and likes to talk himself up. His relationship with some of Japan's star players suggests that harmonious co-existance with a certain Corkman is far from guaranteed. Claims he was offered the Scotland job last year but couldn't take it at the time.

Kenny Dalglish

Age: 51

Current status: Retired.

Another world class player in his day but the difference with Dalglish is that he then went on to prove himself as a manager, winning three leagues and a couple of cups with Liverpool as well as a championship with Blackburn. His time in charge at Anfield ended after he became ill under the pressure, and there were signs of problems again towards the end of his stint at Ewood Park. Since then he has had unsuccessful spells in management at Newcastle and Celtic.

The account of his failed attempt to sign Roy Keane for Blackburn contained in the Manchester United midfielder's autobiography suggests that the only way the FAI could wind up the Corkman more would be to reappoint McCarthy. If getting Roy back on board is really a priority, then Dalglish is unlikely to get the job.

Bryan Robson

Age: 40

Current status: Unemployed

Robson did it all as a player and next to nothing as a manager despite spending very large sums of money during his seven years at Middlesbrough.

Actually made some fairly astute buys during that time, but there were quite a few that are best forgotten too.

For all the comings and goings all he could manage in the end was two promotions (and of course, one relegation) and three cup finals, all of which were lost.

Needed help from Terry Venables to keep the club up towards the end of the season before last when the big drinking culture at the club was identified as a major problem. His main asset seems to be his strong friendship with Roy Keane.

Kevin Moran

Age: 46

Current status: Players' agent.

An outstanding performer in the Irish team, Moran's main disadvantage is that he has no experience worth talking about of team management at any level. His solution to this has been to bring Brian Kidd on board as part of a joint bid, with the former Blackburn boss pencilled in for the assistant manager's post on a part-time basis while still staying on at Elland Road.

Has a remarkable number of connections to the other candidates having been a former team-mate of Robson, played under Dalglish during his time at Blackburn and become the first player to be sent off in a cup final - as a result of a foul on Reid.

Would be expected to be in a strong position to deliver Roy Keane as well as, on the strength of his connections in the GAA, Croke Park.

Brian Kerr

Age: 49

Current status: Republic of Ireland youth teams manager.

After 10 years in charge at St Patrick's Athletic where he twice won the National League, Kerr moved to the FAI in 1997 where he first became manager of the national youth teams and later technical director.

May not have been much of a player himself but has consistently shown ability to get the best out of others, and his record with the country's under-age sides is little short of astonishing with the double European Championship success of 1998 the highlight of a very successful few years.

His lack of management experience at the highest club level looks to be his main problem, although the fact that several of the senior squad have already played under him counts in his favour. Scores high on the Dub factor.