The Irish are not due to play again until 1 March and, although no opponent has so far been scheduled, there have been preliminary discussions over a fixture with England.
The FAI wants a successor to Brian Kerr, who did not have his contract renewed after failing to qualify for next year’s World Cup. However, it is thought that it favours a high-profile name such as Venables.
It may be that someone like Venables, now 65, is appointed in tandem with a former player who can be groomed as his successor. Steve Staunton or Niall Quinn might fit the bill.
Venables, whose brief tenure as a Saturday afternoon pundit for Virgin Radio included the unfortunate title “The Godfather Of Football”, has a long history of club and international success, along with a fun-filled business c.v. that might’ve played a role in his departure from the England post, to say nothing of his role in the Crystal Palace’s financial misery.