*Needs to catch up*
Bye bye McCarthy .......... now we need to see who'll be in charge next.
Robson favourite for Republic
Former Middlesbrough manager Bryan Robson has emerged as the new favourite to be Republic of Ireland coach.
Robson right for Ireland? Have your say
Bookmakers have taken numerous heavy bets on the ex-England captain as John Toshack pulled out of the running by taking over as coach of Italian Serie B side Catania.
Former Liverpool striker and Tranmere boss John Aldridge and Luton Town manager Joe Kinnear are also strongly tipped to take over from Mick McCarthy.
Race to replace McCarthy
Ex-Leeds boss David O'Leary ruled himself out, saying he has no intention of moving into international management at this stage in his career.
Toshack has coached Real Madrid, Swansea, Sporting Lisbon, Real Sociedad and Deportivo La Coruna.
He has also had spells at the helm of Besiktas, St Etienne and the Welsh national team.
Catania sacked their previous coach Maurizio Pellegrino after their 2-0 home defeat by Napoli on Tuesday.
They are currently fourth-bottom in the second division of Italian football.
Duo in Republic frame
The 53-year-old completed discussions with Luciano Gaucci, whose family own both Catania and Serie A club Perugia, on Thursday.
A statement on the club's website, released around 1030 GMT on Thursday, said: "John Benjamin Toshack is the new trainer of Catania Football Club.
"The agreement with the Gaucci family was completed a few hours ago in Rome."
Toshack's first game in charge will be on Monday when the team travels to Tuscany to take on Siena.
