DUBLIN, Oct 19 (SW) – The Football Association of Ireland have decided not to renew Brian Kerr in his functions as Republic of Ireland manager.

The decision was taken on Tuesday night, during a 10-man Board of Management meeting in Dublin, and Brian Kerr, who has been spending 8 years with the FAI, including 33 months as the Lansdowne Road outfit boss, is now set to make his way out.

"The board of the FAI met today and considered the implications of non-qualification of the international team for the World Cup in 2006. Following this meeting the board has indicated that the FAI is to recruit a new international manager to succeed Brian Kerr whose contract expired at the end of the 2006 World Cup campaign,” said an FAI statement.

"The board would like to thank Brian Kerr and the technical staff for their commitment and energy demonstrated during almost three years in charge. The board fully recognises the dedication and passion applied by Brian and his support team in their quest to gain qualification for the major championships,” it added.

The FAI will now start to look for a new national coach, although Irish media have already implied for days a number of leads are already being followed up, with managers of the likes of Martin O’Neill, Alex Ferguson and Bobby Robson allegedly though of as Kerr’s potential successor.