Lee Carsley says a manager must be appointed quickly

Giovanni Trapattoni and Terry Venables are believed to be the main candidates to succeed Steve Staunton and Carsley wants the matter resolved quickly.

"Whoever is picking the manager has had enough time now," said the Everton player, who started in the Republic's 1-0 home defeat by Brazil on Wednesday.

"There are enough candidates and we would be better off if we named one."

Don Givens, the head of the FAI's selection panel who has doubled as caretaker coach for the last two games, refused to discuss the situation beyond reiterating that an announcement is expected within the next week.

The officials' dithering has cast doubt over their bid to lure Italian legend Trapattoni from his current club Red Bull Salzburg with long-time favourite Venables appearing to be next in line.

Carsley has warned it is imperative that the situation is sorted out soon so the squad can begin building towards the World Cup 2010 qualifier in Georgia in September.

"We are preparing for a massive campaign so we need someone in sooner rather than later. Hopefully, there will be an announcement this week."

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Reading midfielder Stephen Hunt also expressed unhappiness after Wednesday's game.

Hunt appeared far from amused at having to settle for a place on the bench at Croke Park.

"I thought I might start with the way I'm playing at the moment," said Hunt.

"I'm disappointed. Some of the excuses I was given were a bit iffy to be honest. But we've got to look forward to the new man and the future."

Reported links with former Derby chief Billy Davies, which the FAI have refused to confirm, fuel the fear that the FAI have dug themselves into a hole and could yet miss out on both of their favoured big-name candidates.

They possibility of a Trapattoni reign appears to have caught the imagination of large sections of the Irish public but the players seemingly favour a move to land former England coach Venables.

Damien Duff, who returned to the side for the first time in 10 months against Brazil, shrugged off the delay.

"I'm not surprised about it at all. This is Ireland, after all," said the Newcastle winger.