31 Facts About John O'Shea

John Francis O'Shea is an Irish professional football coach and former player.

John O'Shea was known for his versatility in playing several defensive and midfield positions on either side of the pitch or the centre.

John O'Shea spent loan spells at AFC Bournemouth and Royal Antwerp before establishing himself in the Manchester United first team, going on to make 393 appearances and scoring 15 times in all competitions across 12 seasons.

John O'Shea then coached at Stoke City and Birmingham City.

John O'Shea made his Republic of Ireland debut in 2001 against Croatia and made 118 appearances for his national team over the next 17 years, scoring three goals, his first in 2003 against Australia.

John O'Shea was part of the team that controversially lost to France in a play-off for the 2010 FIFA World Cup and went on to play in UEFA Euro 2012 and UEFA Euro 2016.

John O'Shea then served as assistant manager on the under-21 and senior teams, as well as interim manager of the latter in 2024.

In January 2000, John O'Shea was loaned to AFC Bournemouth in the Football League Second Division.

John O'Shea was criticised for his lacklustre performances that season, and was reportedly one of the players lambasted by United veteran Roy Keane in a controversial interview on the club's MUTV channel.

On 4 February 2007, during a league game against Tottenham Hotspur, John O'Shea deputised for Edwin van der Sar in goal after Van der Sar was taken off the pitch for a broken nose, while Manchester United had already used all three substitutes.

John O'Shea rescued his team against Everton in one of the final games of the season, when he bundled the ball into the net after Everton goalkeeper Iain Turner fumbled a Ryan Giggs corner.

In November 2007, John O'Shea extended his contract at Manchester United, to keep him at the club until 2012.

On 20 January 2009, John O'Shea scored his first goal of the season against Derby County in the second leg of the League Cup semi-final.

Sir Alex Ferguson had promised John O'Shea, who was an unused substitute in the 2008 Champions League final, a starting place in the 2009 final for his contribution to the team that season.

On 7 July 2011, John O'Shea signed a four-year contract with Sunderland, managed by former Manchester United captain Steve Bruce, who paid Manchester United an undisclosed fee for John O'Shea.

John O'Shea made his first competitive appearance for Sunderland on 27 August 2011 in a goalless draw against Swansea.

On 6 June 2018, John O'Shea agreed terms on a one-year deal with Championship club Reading.

John O'Shea announced his retirement from football on 30 April 2019, his 38th birthday, and made his final career appearance five days later in a goalless draw at home to Birmingham City where he received a guard of honour from both sets of players.

John O'Shea earned his first senior cap for the Republic of Ireland on 15 August 2001, when manager Mick McCarthy sent him on as an 84th-minute substitute for Gary Kelly in a friendly against Croatia at Lansdowne Road.

John O'Shea was not included in the Irish squad for the 2002 FIFA World Cup.

John O'Shea played every minute of their finals campaign, a group stage elimination after three defeats.

On 15 August 2012, his 80th cap, John O'Shea captained Ireland for the first time, in a goalless friendly draw against Serbia at the Red Star Stadium in Belgrade.

John O'Shea was scheduled to face Spain on 11 June 2013 at Yankee Stadium in New York, but was ruled out of the game over the sudden death of his uncle Jimmy O'Leary.

John O'Shea was selected in manager Martin O'Neill's 23-man squad for UEFA Euro 2016 in France.

On 22 July 2022, John O'Shea joined Stoke City as first-team coach.

John O'Shea was one of 20 coaches who successfully completed their UEFA Pro Licence course with the Football Association of Ireland in December 2022.

On 22 February 2023, John O'Shea was named assistant manager of the Republic of Ireland senior team, under manager Stephen Kenny.

When Wayne Rooney was appointed manager of EFL Championship club Birmingham City in October 2023, John O'Shea joined his staff as a first-team coach.

John O'Shea left by mutual consent at his own request a few days after Rooney's sacking in January 2024.

On 28 February 2024, John O'Shea was named as interim manager of the senior Republic of Ireland team for the March friendlies against Belgium and Switzerland, while the Football Association of Ireland continued their search for a permanent manager.

John O'Shea married his long-term partner, Yvonne Manning, in the Lady Chapel in Maynooth, County Kildare, Ireland on 8 June 2010.