John O'Shea Supports Ireland Coaching Structure

Ahead of the Republic of Ireland's Nations League clash with Greece, assistant manager John O'Shea defended the absence of head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson from media duties, asserting that the arrangement was pre-planned to allow Hallgrimsson time to acclimatize to the team. O'Shea emphasized that he is the assistant and that there are clear lines of authority, dismissing concerns about potential confusion among players regarding who is in charge. Hallgrimsson, who relies on O'Shea and assistant coach Paddy McCarthy for guidance during his adjustment period, has delegated significant responsibilities to them, including squad selection. Despite criticism regarding Hallgrimsson's limited presence on the sidelines during recent matches, O'Shea maintained that the coaching structure is clear and effective. He stated, 'The boss is the boss,' and reiterated that the players are well-informed about their roles and plans. The team seeks to bounce back after their 2-0 loss to England as they prepare for the upcoming match against a confident Greek side.