Stephen Kenny will become Ireland manager earlier than expected if the Boys in Green lose the Euro 2020 playoff.



Three friendlies have been lined up in June - two in Austria and one in Limerick - whether they qualify for the finals that month or not.



But Mick McCarthy admits “it would be silly” if Kenny is not in charge for them, should Ireland lose to Slovakia, Northern Ireland or Bosnia in March.



McCarthy hopes to see out his contract in full by leading Ireland to the Euros where two of the three group games will be in Dublin.



But he said: "If it doesn't go well (in Slovakia) we've got three friendlies in June and I spoke to Gary (Owens) and Roy (Barrett) about that.



“I’d more than happily take the games and stay until the end of my contract in July but it would be silly if Stephen wants any preparations for the Nations League.



“Surely the three games in June ought to be taken in. Don't think for one minute if it doesn't go right, that I'll be saying 'I'm resigning’ - I'm not.



“I hope it doesn't happen and we're talking hypothetically. But we're all adults. What would be the best for the Irish national team if we lost on March 26 or 31?

(Image: ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne)

“I'm not a bulls****er. I know the score. What's the point? He should take the games.



“Clearly, it would be beneficial to the team, the players, to everybody, for his preparations for the Nations League, that he took the games.”



With Aviva Stadium out of action ahead of the Euros, Ireland will play one friendly at Thomond Park in Limerick on June 8.



Two games are lined up in Austria which suggests Ireland will be there for a pre-Euros training camp if they qualify, or as opposition for another finals team if they don’t.



In December, Mirror Sport reported that Holland were being lined up as potential opponents this summer.



But UEFA have binned their barmy plan that the losing Euro playoff semi-finalists face each other in a meaningless friendly on March 31, the day of the playoff final.



If Kenny comes on board in June, McCarthy won’t hang around for the games as he sees no point in a handover process.



“It would make it harder for him, make it awkward,” he continued. “I'm hardly a small personality and when Stephen gets the job, he has to do the job.



“If I'm there, do you think the players would still see me as the boss? Of course not. If we qualify, someone might say would Stephen be with you if you qualify?



“Not a chance. No way. That ain't happening. There’s one opportunity or no opportunity and I'll be as candid and as brutal as that - that isn't happening.”



Regardless of what happens, Kenny will be manager for the Nations League games in September but McCarthy will attend that draw - not Kenny - in Amsterdam on March 3.