The Football Association of Ireland (FAI)’s Director of Football, Marc Canham, is keen to appoint a Republic of Ireland manager before England’s visit to Dublin for the Nations League game on September 7th. In an interview with FAI TV, after cancelling a media briefing this week, Canham expressed regret for continuously moving the announcement date to introduce Stephen Kenny’s successor, whose contract ended with the FAI on November 22nd, 2023.
An interim coach will be delegated for the friendly matches with Hungary and Portugal in June, but Canham could not assure the continuing presence of John O’Shea. Canham commented, “Our preference would be John O’Shea. His work in the March friendlies was highly commendable, and we’re in the process of discussing terms with him which we hope to finalize soon.”
However, Canham’s apparent hesitation in providing O’Shea with a full-time position makes it possible that the ex-Manchester United player might explore other career opportunities.
The ten-month gap lacking an Ireland manager is an unparalleled situation in Irish football annals. Back in February, Canham had expressed that they were on the brink of finalising the process and that details would be forthcoming in “early April” due to the “current contractual obligations” of their initial choice.
In Friday’s interview, Canham avoided speaking about the “current contractual obligations” and neither was he questioned regarding his prior assurance that financial restrictions were not an obstacle in the hiring procedure.
“The main point to understand right now is that the search process is still underway,” Canham explained. “Many might find this disappointing, but this is due to several factors. Notably, we have a specific sort of head coach in mind – someone who can enhance the team’s performance and increase our competitiveness.
“We’re in search of a coach with a balanced experience at both the club and international level. Our goal is quite clear-cut. Other influential factors are the conditions; including the examination of coaches who are presently available as well as those who are contractually committed elsewhere.
We also need to consider the competitiveness of the job market. We are on the lookout for the perfect match in terms of the right coach, the right fit, and the right timing.
Our search for the most suitable candidate will persist.”
Canham admitted: “We acknowledge that our previously determined schedules and deadlines may have generated certain expectations and confusion. If we were to revise our approach, perhaps we wouldn’t have set those deadlines. Our sole focus would be to identify the most suitable candidate, however long that may take. That’s our objective.
“We understand and apologise for any confusion caused, but we still hold a firm belief that this process will enable us to select an ideal candidate for the position.”
No mention was made of Gus Poyet, Chris Hughton, or Anthony Barry, the existing assistant coach for Portugal. It is rumoured that all three, including Lee Carsley, rejected offers from FAI to consider managing Ireland.
The adjusted recruitment strategy hints at a possible appointment post Euros, which concludes in mid-July, possibly reopening consideration for Georgia’s coach, Willy Sagnol.