Next Ireland manager: Mick McCarthy front runner to be new boss with Robbie Keane as assistant

Martin O'Neill left his position after five years on Wednesday

Mick McCarthy is the front runner for the vacant Republic of Ireland manager's job with Robbie Keane his likely assistant.

Martin O'Neill left his position after five years on Wednesday with McCarthy the preferred candidate to take over the role he relinquished after the 2002 World Cup.

The Independent understands that McCarthy, who has been out of work since leaving Ipswich in April, is keen on a return and he would bring the country's all-time leading goalscorer Keane on board with him should he land the job.

O'Neill, assistant Roy Keane and their staff parted company with the Football Association of Ireland on Wednesday after its chief executive John Delaney had held talks with O'Neill in London on Tuesday evening.

O'Neill and Keane left their roles on Wednesday (PA)

The split had looked increasingly inevitable after a poor Nations League campaign, which drew to a close with Monday night's 0-0 draw with Denmark in Aarhus, where Ireland failed to muster a single shot on target.

In a statement released on his behalf by the League Manager's Association, O'Neill said: "I have had the great honour of managing the Republic of Ireland national football team for the past five years and it is with a heavy heart that I leave this role.

"It was one of my lifetime ambitions to take charge of the Irish senior squad and I would like to thank the FAI board for giving me that opportunity."

"Knowing that the past year would be a transitional phase for the squad, I have capped 12 new players in the last nine games, with the aim that they become significant international contributors in the coming campaign."

Other names in the frame to succeed O'Neill are Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers, Hibernian counterpart Neil Lennon, Brighton's Chris Hughton and Dundalk boss Stephen Kenny.

Iran manager Carlos Queiroz is also interested in the role.