Exclusive by Stuart Roach BBC Sport Online

Bryan Hamilton has revealed that his shortlist of recommendations for the Republic of Ireland manager's job includes names from around the world.

The FAI's management headhunter has compiled a shortlist of targets in the search for Mick McCarthy's replacement.

And the former Northern Ireland boss told BBC Sport Online that candidates from all corners of the globe have been considered in the exhaustive search.

"The process has taken me to different parts of the world, speaking with people who offer different qualities.

"It has been very, very extensive and very thorough and has given me the opportunity to speak to a diversity of coaches from different parts of the world," Hamilton said.

He added: "All the coaches have different ideas and when you go into different parts of Europe they have different ideas again, so it has been a really worthwhile exercise."

Troussier is a serious contender for the job

That revelation confirms the position of former Japan chief Phillipe Troussier among the front runners for the Republic job.

The Frenchman, who also coached Ivory Coast and Nigeria, has consistently been linked with the Republic position.

But Hamilton refused to discuss individual cases, or to confirm that his shortlist included only six names.

"It's important not to speak about names, certainly at the moment, because it puts undue pressure on different individuals.

The hardest part was leaving people out because it was such a strong group of people Bryan Hamilton

"It's not about numbers at this minute either, it is about quality and I'm delighted with the quality.

"The whole exercise was to make the search as thorough as possible and make sure that the sub-committee of the Football Association of Ireland spoke with a cross section of the best quality people.

"Getting to a reduced number was very, very difficult.

"The hardest part was talking through all the candidates and leaving people out because it was such a strong group of people."

That reduced shortlist must now be narrowed down to a single name, preferably in time for the Republic of Ireland's friendly with Scotland on 12 February.

Brian Kerr was the first to be interviewed

But Hamilton insisted the interview panel would not hurry through the elimination process.

"It's not going to be rushed, it's going to be well thought out and extensively researched.

"It is now up to the small group of people who have been selected to try and impose themselves on the committee and make sure the committee have got a very difficult job.

"I believe every one of the applicants is absolutely first class."

FAI technical director Brian Kerr has already been interviewed and the remaining candidates are likely to be met within the next fortnight.

Bryan Robson is the current bookies favourite, party because of his close relationship with Roy Keane, who might be tempted to return to international football by his former Manchester United captain.

Joe Kinnear, John Aldridge, Peter Reid, Frank Stapleton, George Burley and Kenny Dalglish are among the other names linked with the vacant post.