Former Dublin goalkeeper John O'Leary believes that Stephen Cluxton's similarities to Jim Gavin makes it plausible that the current captain could be a potential successor to the tight-lipped manager.
Speaking on the Dublin hour of Off The Ball's Drive for Five special with Cliodhna O'Connor and Stephen Doyle, O'Leary explained that Cluxton had the aura of a future manager of the same breed as Gavin.
"He almost strikes me as the next manager of Dublin, like Jim", the five-time all-star winner said.
"He is almost the perfect player for Jim. He has that calmness, he doesn't get involved in other stuff as well as his ability to tweak his game over the last few years as football has evolved."
O'Leary also referenced how Cluxton's success with Dublin was not based solely on talent but on his dedication, attitude and endurance. O'Leary referenced a passage in the book of former Dublin substitute goalkeeper John Leonard as an example of Cluxton's attitude.
"John Leonard, the sub keeper, wrote in his book that if he wanted to try and get better he'd show up early and Cluxton would already be there. And if he came half an hour earlier again then Cluxton would still be there before him."
Fellow former Dublin goalkeeper, Cliodhna O'Connor, added that Cluxton is the sort of player that defenders love to have behind them.
"If you ask defenders what they want out of a goalkeeper, they want someone who can see the game, can help them out when things are challenging from a defensive point of view and that's what you get. You've got a really solid man behind you just backing everybody up."
"It's that sense of calm which is so important."
Already a five-time All-Ireland winning captain, O'Leary said that he could see Cluxton continuing to play well into his forties if the desire was there.
"He could easily. There's no reason he couldn't stay on for another couple of years the way he is playing and the way the team is playing.
"It's part of what's going on around you and personal motivation but he could easily keep going because he is setting more and more records all the time.
"He trains very hard, he prepares very hard, and it's manifested itself on the pitch in terms of how he has influenced this Dublin team over the last number of years and football in general."
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