Jon Daly has told St Pat’s owner Garrett Kelleher that he is ‘more than capable’ of being their next manager.
The former Rangers striker had been Tim Clancy’s assistant at Richmond Park since the start of last season.
But tonight he faces his second game as interim boss after the Saints parted company with Clancy last week.
Behind the scenes, club chiefs are assessing candidates to fill the Inchicore hot seat on a full-time basis.
And Pro Licence holder Daly will be given due consideration too, if he continues to deliver results like last week’s win away to Cork City.
It’s why tonight’s home clash with Drogheda United and Monday’s trip to Shamrock Rovers take on added significance for Daly.
The 40-year-old has been here before.
He was caretaker boss of SPL side Hearts on two occasions and assistant at Finnish outfit FC Turku before joining St Pat’s.
Daly said: “I’ve been asked to step in on an interim basis. How long is that? How long is a piece of string? I couldn't tell you. I don't know.
“It’s not something I’ve been told. What I’ve been told is that they will look to make decisions.
“Do I want the job? I’ve never shied away from the fact that I'd like to be a manager one day.
“That's why I’ve gone into the coaching side, that's why I went to Finland for a year without my family, that’s why I’ve come here without my family (who live in Scotland).
“It’s all to get me ready for being a manager. I’m more than capable of doing the job and I’ve told the chairman (Kelleher) that.
“If he needs to take two or three weeks, the club is in good hands while he makes that decision.”
When Clancy’s departure was confirmed, Daly spoke to his close friend about staying on in the short-term having been asked to by Kelleher.
“A lot of people presume that everybody gets chucked out with the manager, but I’m an employee of the football club,” continued Daly.
“I’m here for the players and the team and as long as they need me, I’ll be here.
“If they don't - and it's happened to me before where a new manager wants their own staff - I understand it, I get it.
“It's not something I'm going to hold against people or hold against the club. And I’ve already said that to the chairman.
“If someone comes in and wants their own staff, I won’t stand in their way. I’ll still be a St Pat’s fan when I leave, that's the way it is.”
And Daly revealed that since taking interim charge, he has canvassed former Ireland and St Pat’s manager Brian Kerr for his opinion on the Saints season to date.
“He goes to our games, he’s got a lot of experience, and he’s managed at the top level,” added Daly.
“I wanted to pick his brain based on what he’s seen. We had a conversation about football. About how he sees it as a Pat’s fan and what he might have done differently.
“Do I agree with it all? No, but that’s football. I’ve to make my own choices and decisions and I’m big and bold enough to do that.
“I’m not always going to get it right. I don’t know all the answers. If it works, great. If it doesn’t, I'll learn from it.”
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