Stephen Kenny has also been confirmed to take over as U21 manager
Mick McCarthy has officially been unveiled as the new Republic of Ireland boss.
On Friday, it was reported that McCarthy had agreed a deal with the Football Association of Ireland to succeed Martin O’Neill, who parted ways by mutual consent along with Roy Keane on Wednesday.
On Saturday evening, news broke that McCarthy would be taking over until the conclusion of the European Championships in 2020, with Dundalk manager Stephen Kenny set to succeed him at that point.
Finally, on Sunday afternoon, official confirmation arrived via an FAI announcement.
Terry Connor and Robbie Keane will be part of his backroom staff, while Stephen Kenny has been named as U21 manager.
Kenny will be unveiled in a separate press conference on Monday.
CONFIRMED | The FAI are delighted to announce that Mick McCarthy is the new Ireland Manager with Stephen Kenny with taking over as U21 Manager.
Full story: https://t.co/Jwxe1142ow #COYBIG pic.twitter.com/aQdZub628Q
— Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) November 25, 2018
“I’m honoured and excited to be back with the Republic of Ireland,” said McCarthy.
“I am delighted that the FAI Board and CEO have given me this opportunity to lead the team to Euro 2020.
“I have been involved in club football for the last 15 years, so this will be a new challenge but one that I know well. I’m delighted to have Terry Connor, a trusted colleague and excellent coach, and Robbie Keane, one of the finest players who I had the pleasure of managing, helping me as assistant coaches.
“I am looking forward to getting started and embracing this challenge to qualify for Euro 2020, where it would be fantastic to play in front of the Ireland supporters in the Aviva Stadium.”
🇮🇪 #COYBIG pic.twitter.com/9b34AVC7gg
— Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) November 25, 2018
FAI chief John Delaney, meanwhile, hailed “a very exciting time for Irish football” as he made things official.
“Mick was a great player for Ireland and then had a terrific impact as manager by guiding the team to the Round of 16 in the 2002 World Cup following a memorable draw with eventual finalists Germany.
“There is no doubt that he knows international football and has the appetite to lead the team forward again.”
The draw for the qualifying round of Euro 2020 takes place in the Convention Centre in Dublin next Sunday 2 December, with qualifying set to kick off in March of 2019.
