Jack O'Connor is reported to be the first choice of the Kildare County Board to succeed Cian O'Neill as Lilywhites boss.
O'Connor won three All-Ireland titles during two terms in charge of his native Kingdom. Former manager Cian O'Neill stepped down last month after four seasons at the helm.
The speculation has led to the Kildare county Board releasing a brief statement, insisting no decision has been made.
“Kildare GAA wish to state that there is no decision made on the position of the Kildare Senior Football Manager,”
Newbridge
A defeat to Tyrone at the end of June brought down the curtain on O'Neill's tenure. His biggest moment came when Orchestrating the 2018 win over Mayo. That was the culmination of the "Newbridge or nowhere" saga. Kildare also got to the 2017 Leinster final under O'Neill's guidance, where they were comprehensively beaten by Dublin.
There had been speculation linking O'Connor to taking up the the Kerry job for a third time earlier this year. That was following the departure of Maurice Fitzgerald. With Peter Keane in the Kerry Hotseat, O'Connor could take the path of fellow Kerry Legend Micko and take over at Kildare.
Since his second spell in charge of the Kerry senior team, O'Connor has overseen the county underage teams. Kerry minors won Munster and the All-Ireland in 2015. The under-21's won the 2017 All-Ireland on O'Connor's watch.
Familiar
The Kildare link will not be a complete bolt from the blue as O'Connor has been involved with Kildare club side Moorefield The Curragh club won a Leinster title in 2017.
Kildare may not have the obvious glories of the Mick O'Dwyer days in the late nineties and early noughties but there is a sense in the county that something is bubbling. That confidence, for once in Kidare's case may not be misplaced. Kildare have been in six Leinster minor finals since 2013, winning four and are the current holders. While the Under-20 team won the 2018 All-Ireland title.
The combination of club and underage success within the county with the proven winning experience at all levels of the game is what the Kildar county board is banking on for success.
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