Kenny Dalglish is one of three names on the wish list to succeed Mick McCarthy as Ireland manager.

According to reports Dalglish, Brian Kerr and Kevin Moran are the leading contenders on the mind of Bryan Hamilton.

The FAI brought in the former Northern Ireland manager and handed him a brief to sort out the wheat from the chaff in the hunt for the right man.

Hamilton has been given absolute freedom in selecting a shortlist, but already Dalglish, Kerr and Moran are emerging as the top candidates.

Candidates

Other top contenders include Peter Reid, who would bring in Niall Quinn as his assistant.

It is believed that six names will be included in the shortlist, and it is likely that Bryan Robson and John Aldridge will be included.

Hamiton will present his findings after CHristmas to a three-man FAI committee of Kevin Fahy, John Delaney and Milo Corcoran after Christmas.

Over 18 candidates have expressed an interest in the job, and Hamilton has promised that he will speak to them all.

Although Dalglish is emerging as one of the front-runners, Hamilton has yet to speak speak to the former Celtic and Liverpool icon.

Brian Kerr made public his interest in the job

Daliglish, who also won the Premiership with Blackburn in 1995, would be seen as the ideal high-profile manager.

He not only has the experience of big-time football, but his playing career will harbour respect from members of the squad.

Irish-based Kerr, meanwhile, may have a lack of Premiership experience, but the Republic's successful under-21 boss is admired by many in the senior squad.

Moran, meanwhile, could be a real dark horse. The former Manchester United and Republic defender was close to getting the job six years ago.

Although having no direct links with the club game since, the fact that he would bring on board Brian Kidd as his assistant, could sway things in his favour.

Kidd, the asissant to Terry Venables at Leeds United, has already expressed an interest.

It is known that Roy Keane greatly admires Kidd as a coach, and that could be the key to bring back the former skipper into the fold.

Kidd, though, is reported to be in line to take over from Steve McClaren as England assistant coach.