Brian McDermott
McDermott is under consideration for the Ireland post.

Leeds United boss Brian McDermott has been installed as second favourite for the vacant Republic of Ireland manager's job and is understood to be willing to swap Elland Road for the national team.

McDermott only joined Leeds in April but following the sacking of Giovanni Trapattoni on Wednesday, the 52 year old is among the candidates being considered for the Ireland role.

And Football Association of Ireland chief executive John Delaney says Leeds manager McDermott is under serious consideration along with current Ipswich Town boss Mick McCarthy, who guided the country to the World Cup second round in 2002.

"He is a serious candidate and he is one of the names being mentioned here (on Wednesday) morning," Delaney said.

"I am looking at the names being mentioned and I think it will come down to the three leading the market.

"I am looking at Mick McCarthy and Brian McDermott and I know that both men, having spoken to them over the past couple of years, they would both like to get their hands on this job, not necessarily at this stage.

"I know Brian McDermott, given his heritage with his parents being Irish, and having spoken to him on Irish radio, he would love to manage the Republic of Ireland someday."

Martin O'Neill is the current bookmakers favourite for replace Trapattoni, whose tenure as Ireland boss was ended this week following the 1-0 away defeat to Austria.

The Italian took the Irish to Euro 2012 but with just three wins from eight group matches Ireland all but out of contention for qualification for the World Cup with two games remaining.

McDermott has taken charge of just 12 games at Leeds, winning seven and the Whites had been tipped as one of the pre-season favourites for promotion from The Championship.

The ex-Arsenal player took Reading to the Premier League after a run of 15 wins in 17 games but was sacked two thirds into the campaign after a run of four successive defeats put The Royals on the brink of relegation.

He has since been charged with returning Leeds to the top flight for the first time since 2004 and they are currently 10<sup>th - a point off a play-off place after just five league games.