'Martin O'Neill could do Republic job standing on his head'

New Republic of Ireland boss could face Germany

Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert believes Martin O'Neill is the ideal candidate to replace Giovanni Trapattoni as Republic of Ireland manager.

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He said: "There's no doubt about it, he could do the job standing on his head. No problem.

"I've always said he's a fantastic manager and it would be up to him whether he'd want to go into international football or go back to club football.

"I don't know but whoever takes him has got a great manager."

Football Association of Ireland chief executive John Delaney has admitted that, in an ideal world, he would like to have Giovanni Trapattoni's replacement in place in time for next month's World Cup qualifiers against Group C leaders Germany - who won 6-1 at the Aviva Stadium in October last year - and Kazakhstan.

Delaney told Sky Sports News: "Ideally it would be nice to have a manager in place for the games in October, but that's not a must because it's 12 months until we play our first European qualifiers in September.

"It's important that we get the right man in so we qualify for France 2016."

Martin O'Neill remains the overwhelming bookmakers' favourite with one bookmaker offering odds of 4/7 for his appointment.

It is understood the 61-year-old Ulsterman, who has been out of work since being sacked by Sunderland in March, is open to an approach, while former Ireland manager Mick McCarthy, currently in charge at Ipswich, has not distanced himself from speculation linking him to the vacancy.

However, Norwich boss Chris Hughton and Leeds counterpart Brian McDermott, who were both mentioned - along with O'Neill, McCarthy and Roy Keane - by Delaney as prospective candidates in a radio interview on Wednesday, have ruled themselves out.

Former Republic full-back Hughton said: "I was very proud to play for Ireland and I always want to see Ireland winning football matches, but my responsibility is here [at Norwich].

"The club has shown great faith in me. They have spent very big in the summer. There is a project here, one started before I got here, and it is a challenge I am very much looking forward to.