Derry City are expected to take at least a week before making any concrete move to replace Dermot Keely, who resigned as manager of the club after Thursday night's 2-0 home defeat by UCD.
Gavin Dykes and team coach Hugh Harkin are expected to be in charge for next week's home game against Drogheda United, and some of those close to the club believe the pair could be left in charge for the rest of the season.
Dykes said yesterday he was "totally shocked" by Keely's decision to go, as the Dubliner only raised the possibility for the first time at half-time in the UCD game when, with his team already a goal behind, the former Dundalk and Shelbourne boss told his players that unless their second-half performance was considerably better he would walk away.
He proved as good as his word and told City directors immediately after the game that, as he did not feel he could turn the team around, it would be better if he made way for somebody who could.
The City directors appear to have respected his position and there was no hint of criticism of Keely from club officials yesterday.
During his brief time in charge City failed to win a game, managing five draws and two defeats in the league as well as two losses in the UEFA Cup.
Dykes was nevertheless upbeat about the situation, with the former Finn Harps manager insisting "with the calibre of players we have here I'm still convinced that we can sort ourselves out if everybody just knuckles down".
The long-time City defender declined to say whether he would apply for the job, but said that, having been asked to take charge for the immediate future, he would be happy to continue in the role for as long as required.
Other names being linked with the job include Jimmy McGeough of Waterford United, where there is said to be some tension between the manager and directors; former Drogheda United manager Harry McCue; Marty Quinn of Coleraine and Omagh Town's Roy McCreadie.
Shamrock Rovers, meanwhile, hope to have a "new" home by the middle of next week with club officials claiming they are close to agreeing a deal.
Chairman Tony Maguire refused to say which club Rovers are in negotiations with, but it seems likely the club is on the verge of returning to Tolka Park.
For this evening's "home" game in Cork, meanwhile, Liam Buckley is without the suspended Stephen Grant, while Cork City manager Pat Dolan must cope without John O'Flynn, who has a knee ligament injury.
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND UNDER-16 SQUAD (v Northern Ireland Schools, friendlies, October 2nd and 4th): Stephen Henderson, Tim Purcell, Keith Treacy (all Belvedere), Simon Madden, Kevin McArdle (both Shelbourne), Anthony McKeever, Robert Bayly, Liam Barrett (Cherry Orchard), Aidan Downes (Tolka Rovers), Gareth Edwards, Alan Power (Crumlin United), Owen Garvan (Home Farm), John Connellan (St Francis, Athlone), Colin Nicholson, Conor Jordan (St Joseph's, Athlone), Edward Nolan (Waterford Bohemians), Chris Hoban (Ferrybank), Lorcan Keeney (Iona, Donegal), David Ryan (Lifford Oldtown, Clare), Brendan Daly (College Corinthians), James Ryan (Unattached), Gary Dunphy (Unattached). Manager: Vincent Butler.
