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Duff ended his playing career with Shamrock Rovers. Brian Lawless
Names In The Hat

7 contenders that could replace Pat Fenlon as the manager of Shamrock Rovers

Defeat in the Europa League to RoPS Rovaniemi proved to be one defeat too many for the Rovers board.

AFTER SHAMROCK ROVERS parted company with manager Pat Fenlon on Sunday, the 17-time league champions are on the lookout for a new manager.

It has been rumoured that first-team coach Stephen Bradley may take temporary charge of the club until the end of the season, but here we look at seven names that could be in the frame for the job on a permanent basis.

1. Kenny Cunningham

The former Ireland captain was recently recruited by the FAI to work with the Irish U19 side.

Cunningham, who won 72 caps for the national side, may feel that Shamrock Rovers could provide the perfect platform for him to share his insight of the game.

Soccer - FIFA World Cup 2006 Qualifier - Group Four - France v Ireland John Walton John Walton

2. Brian Kerr

The 63-year-old former Ireland manager hasn’t coached a team since leaving his role with the Faroe Islands in 2011, where he claimed some notable results, including a draw with Northern Ireland and victories over Lithuania and Estonia.

Kerr has vast knowledge of the League of Ireland and spent a decade at Richmond Park with St Pat’s, while his success with the Irish underage sides is unparalleled.

Soccer - UEFA Euro 2012 - Qualifying - Group C - Northern Ireland v Faroe Islands - Windsor Park PA Archive / Press Association Images PA Archive / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

3. Brian McDermott

The 55-year-old former Reading manager earned promotion to the Premier League with the Royals in 2012, but was sacked by the club for a second time at the end of last season.

Born to Irish parents, McDermott has previously revealed he grew up supporting Sligo Rovers as a child. To persuade McDermott to move to the League of Ireland would be quite a coup for the club.

Blackburn Rovers v Reading - Sky Bet Championship - Ewood Park Richard Sellers Richard Sellers

4. Uwe Rosler

The former East Germany international is in need of rebuilding his managerial reputation after a turbulent spell in charge of Leeds United.

Rosler has endured mixed fortunes with Brentford and Wigan in the Football League, but his attractive style of football is exactly what the Rovers board are looking for in their new manager.

Soccer - Sky Bet Championship - Reading v Leeds United - Madejski Stadium Nigel French Nigel French

5. Damien Duff

One of Ireland’s most creative players in recent times, the former Chelsea player has previously stated his desire to get into management.

Duff, who ended his playing career in Tallaght, already works with the Shamrock Rovers schoolboys, and will assist with the Irish U15 team alongside Colin O’Brien. But the move into senior management may come to soon for the 37-year-old.

Soccer - UEFA Europa League - Second Round Qualifying - First Leg - Shamrock Rovers v Odds BK - Tallaght Stadium Brian Lawless Brian Lawless

6. Sean O’Driscoll

The former Ireland international has had a varied coaching career, and was the Liverpool assistant manager during Brendan Rodgers’ last season in charge at Anfield.

The 59-year-old, who has earned promotion in the Football League with Bournemouth and Doncaster Rovers, is known for his progressive brand of football, but he was sacked as manager of Walsall last season following a winless six-game run, despite the club sitting in fourth place in League One.

Soccer - International Under 19 Friendly - England v Italy - New York Stadium EMPICS Sport EMPICS Sport

7. Lawrie Sanchez

Sanchez helped to transform Northern Ireland after he was appointed their manager in 2004, and picked up notable wins against England and Spain along the way, as the North jumped up almost one hundred places in the Fifa rankings.

His management career has failed to hit the heights in club level with Fulham and Barnet, and left his last management role with Greek side Apollon Smyrnis in 2014.

AFC Wimbledon v Plymouth Argyle - Sky Bet League Two - Play Off - Final - Wembley Stadium EMPICS Sport EMPICS Sport

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