With Giovanni Trapattoni out of the picture, thoughts have immediately turned to pinpointing the identity of the next manager.
Obviously the current campaign is a write-off but as Graham Hunter says only the "inept" could fail to reach Euro 2016 with that tournament expanded to 24 teams from the current 16.
The Spanish football expert and out-of-favour Ireland winger Stephen Hunt spoke to Jonathan Healy on Newstalk Lunchtime this morning to assess the managerial options available to the FAI.
In terms of attracting an international name, Hunter believes focusing on a big name alone is not the best way forward. He believes the next manager must be capable of getting the maximum out of diminshing resources.
Although he says he is a fan of Martin O'Neill, he admits he is not up-to-date with his most recent accomplishments.
"He is a motivator. Watching his brand of football is not necessarily the most stimulating but like Clough - under who he learned - he has the ability to get certain men to play above their potential," said Hunter of the former Celtic, Sunderland and Aston Villa manager.
Hunter took a look at a couple of names from the continent that may interest the FAI.
Stephen Hunt was also on the line and he admitted that despite being left on the bench for the Euros, he still "liked the man."
As a replacement, Hunt tipped Paul Clement who is currently assistant manager to Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid.
"He's Ancelotti's right hand man and he's worked with Don Givens at Ireland U21 level and he has great experience of Irish players and understands the Irish mentality. Irish players don't need motivation, they just need someone to tell them exactly what to do."
©INPHO/Donall Farmer
