Former Ireland midfielder Ray Houghton was tasked with finding Ireland's next manager, along with High Performance Director Ruud Dokter.

The duo identified Martin O'Neill and his assistant Roy Keane who will make up the next Ireland management team as confirmed by FAI Chief Executive John Delaney on The Pat Kenny Show. 

Houghton spoke to Newstalk Lunchtime today about his role in the decision to appoint O'Neill and Keane.

"My job along with Ruud Dokter was to go out and speak with candidates and report back to the FAI and give them our judgments. Hopefully we've made a good one."

Houghton was impressed by O'Neill and Keane during their interviews.

"Martin is an extremely good manager. I sat down and talked to him. You could tell his enthusiasm for it and his knowledge of football which was quite incredible similarly to when I spoke to Roy. I felt he was unbelievably enthusiastic and I had an eye-opening encounter with him."

Houghton believes the FAI and Keane have both learned lessons from the events in Saipan 11 years ago.

"Don't forget that Roy came back after Saipan. He didn't give up completely. We have to try to draw a line under [Saipan] at some stage and get on with the most important thing which is to bring back a smile to the Irish fans. Roy will try to handle that situation as best he can but he will have Martin alongside him and I'm sure he'll advise him in the best way he can.

Listen to the full interview below: