Delaney further cited the fact the Republic had slipped in the FIFA world rankings and UEFA seedings as reasons behind Kerr’s departure.

With Roy Keane, Kenny Cunningham and Stephen Carr retiring from international football in the past week, and with Matt Holland considering his future, it is feared Ireland will continue to fall before they rise again as there is little in the way of emerging talent.

But Delaney insists the future is bright as he said: “There is a lot of interest out there in this job, which is a high-profile one.

“There’s been a lot of talk about the lack of talent. But we’ve players of the ability of Shay Given, Richard Dunne, Damien Duff, Robbie Keane, Steve Finnan and John O’Shea.

“They’re all good players, players who play at the top level in the Premiership. It is a good side.”

Delaney has also outlined the type of manager they are looking for, with all indicators pointing to a character such as bookmakers’ favourite Martin O’Neill, who is understood to also be the FAI’s preferred choice.

However, O’Neill only stepped down in May from his role as Celtic manager to care for wife Geraldine who has been ill.

When pressed on who the Association want, Delaney replied: “I’m not going to comment on any individual person because that would be unfair and inappropriate.

“But the first thing is you look at who you want, and what characteristics do you want to lead this team going forward, and there’s a style of person I think should manage our side.

“We need somebody who can get the best out of the players we have, who can make tactical adjustments when required at the highest level and when things need to be changed during matches, and who is committed to managing the side.”

Underlining the fact time is on the FAI’s side, he added: “We’re prepared to wait.

“This is a serious appointment for us, one that leads us into the European Championship qualifying campaign, so it has to be correct.

“If we are forced or pushed into making a speedy decision, that won’t be the correct way, so let’s get the person who we think can lead us to the next championships.”

Delaney has also refuted claims that despite previously voting against Kerr three years ago when it came to finding a successor to Mick McCarthy, he continued to have an axe to grind.

“It’s completely untrue,” countered Delaney, who along with his fellow members of the 10-man Board of Management was slammed by Kerr last night for being “short-sighted” following their decision.

“I can understand Brian is emotional about any decision we would have made, and his response.

“But I’ve been chief executive almost a year and I supported Brian in every aspect of the job, in every resource in terms of planning and finances.

“Anything that could be done to support the team, the players and the backroom staff to ensure we got to the World Cup, was done both by myself, and the FAI.”