John O’Shea has been appointed assistant coach to Heimir Hallgrimsson in the Republic of Ireland managerial set-up, with Paddy McCarthy also staying on in the backroom team.
O’Shea was interim head coach for the Belgium and Switzerland matches in March as well as the Hungary and Portugal games in June.
He was viewed as a contender for the head coach role, with HallgrÃmsson eventually landing the post.
O’Shea previously assisted Stephen Kenny during his time in charge of the side.
Ireland will begin their UEFA Nations League campaign on Saturday, 7 September against England at the Aviva Stadium, before welcoming Greece a few days later on Tuesday, 10 September.
McCarthy also returns to the staff and will remain in his existing role at Premier League side Crystal Palace, linking up with the Ireland squad in the international windows.
Hallgrimsson also welcomes compatriot Gudmundur Hreidarsson as an assistant coach who will responsible for goalkeeping.
Hreidarsson has worked with the Hallgrimsson throughout his coaching career, starting in Iceland at club level before working with the Icelandic national team and with Jamaica.
Head of athletic performance Damien Doyle will remain in his role, whilst the team’s performance analyst will be recruited in the coming month.
Hallgrimsson said: “I’m delighted to secure the services of John and Paddy for the coaching team, and welcome Gudmundur to Ireland.
“It was an absolute priority for me to bring John into the staff when I joined the association. I travelled down to Waterford at the first opportunity to sit down with him and discuss the role.
“It became clear we’re very much aligned in our ideas and what the future should look like, and it’s fantastic he has agreed to be the assistant head coach.
“Paddy has also agreed to continue his work with the team and the wealth of experience he brings will continue to be invaluable to the team.
“Gudmundur has been an important part of my coaching staff throughout my career and I am delighted he can join me once again in Ireland. Work has already begun with our focus fully on the matches against England and Greece in September.”
O’Shea said he is happy to bring continuity to the set-up: “Everybody knows the passion and commitment to the Irish national team I have had throughout my playing, and now, coaching career, so it was great when Heimir approached me to be part of his coaching set-up.
“Since I sat down with Heimir and talked about the plans for the team, and what he saw for me in the set-up, I was delighted to accept the role for the next two campaigns and continue my work with the team ahead of two huge fixtures for the group.
“It was important to have some continuity for Heimir with the players and myself and Paddy will be able to provide that and support him in the role.”
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