Newly appointed Republic of Ireland assistant Chris Hughton has spoken about his new post after Brian Kerr confirmed his appointment in Dublin last week.
The highly regarded Tottenham coach said on the FAI website: "It was a huge honour to be part of Brian Kerr's 'team behind the team'.
"Having played for 11 or 12 years with Ireland it is a great honour to be able to return although in a different capacity," Hughton told www.fai.ie.
"My role will to help and facilitate Brian [Kerr] in any way that I can and endeavour to help Ireland qualify for the European Championships.
"I will bring to the job 10 years of coaching experience with Tottenham Hotspur and five of those years have, on and off, been with the first team," he said.
Hughton deals with Ireland players Robbie Keane, Stephen Carr and Gary Doherty on a daily basis and the 53-times capped full-back admitted he only took the job once he felt sure of being able to give 100 per cent to his new dual role.
"When Brian spoke to me, I first of all had to think about the commitment and once I was comfortable with that, I accepted the offer," said Hughton.
"On international weeks, I will be with the squad while I go to several games a week that don't involve Tottenham Hotspur and sometimes there's an Irish angle to the games.
"How much of the Irish players I will see in action will vary from week to month but Brian will see the players regularly as will other people on his behalf," said Hughton who is one of only 12 coaches in England to hold a UEFA Pro Coaching badge.
PA