Reports of Gus Poyet rejecting a two-day ultimatum from the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) to assume the managerial role of the Republic of Ireland have not received any comments from the FAI. Prior to the association parting ways with Stephen Kenny on November 22nd, Poyet openly expressed interest in the position. Kenny’s dismissal came following back-to-back victories by Greece, under Poyet’s management, over Ireland in 2024 Euro qualifiers.
Poyet’s tenure as the Greece national football team’s manager ceased on March 31st. The search for Kenny’s successor, now in its 131st day, will continue, with the FAI expressing the hope of revealing their new manager on April 12th. This follows three prior failures to conclude an interview process supervised by Jonathan Hill, the FAI’s CEO, along with Director of Football Marc Canham and Packie Bonner.
The elongated hunt for a new manager has led to Roy Keane being interviewed thrice by the FAI, and communication being initiated with Neil Lennon, Chris Coleman, and Chris Hughton. Hughton, however, withdrew his interest after a challenging stint as Ghana’s manager. Speculation is growing that the final choice might be John O’Shea, who has been acting as interim head coach for the friendly matches against Belgium and Switzerland in March. O’Shea’s side failed to net a goal in these games, leading to dwindling crowd numbers at the Aviva Stadium.
The FAI may face criticism if they appoint former Manchester United defender O’Shea, since he was previously overlooked due to lack of experience. Canham suggested in February that the association was on the brink of appointing a new manager, attributing the delay to existing contracts. O’Shea dismissed the idea of being restricted by such commitments.
Canham has spearheaded a process that he describes as “solid, formal and discreet” since November. His recent appointment record includes interim manager Eileen Gleeson to the Ireland women’s team, who secured an 18-month contract after leading Katie McCabe’s squad unbeaten in last year’s Nations League B. It appears that much of Gleeson’s original management will remain, similar to the current men’s team. However, negotiations with potential managers, including Poyet and potentially Carsley, have been hindered by disagreements over coaching personnel rather than financial considerations.
Canham maintained that the coaching role would be assigned to an “active field” coach, incongruous with Poyet or Keane’s profiles. However, Anthony Barry and Carsley appear appropriate for the role. Notably, Carsley decided to uphold his coaching position with England’s under-21s, sidelining the senior Ireland managerial position. There are rumours he might succeed Gareth Southgate as the main England manager in 2025.
Meanwhile, Barry declined the Ireland job offer as reported by London’s The Times newspaper. Garnering high praise as Kenny’s Ireland’s assistant, and also assisting Thomas Tuchel at Chelsea, Bayern Munich and currently Roberto Martínez at Belgium and Portugal, the 37-year-old Barry is rumoured to be considered for the Sporting Lisbon position, in the event Rúben Amorim succeeds Jurgen Klopp as the manager at Liverpool.
Willy Sagnol emerged as another probable candidate, but with Georgia, managed by him, beating Poyet’s Greece on penalties to secure a spot in the Euros through the play-offs last Tuesday, it’s anticipated that the ex-French full back will relocate to Germany for the summer event.
The FAI has clarified that they seek an immediate commencement of duties by their forthcoming manager. The recent postponement of the appointment from “early April” to April 12th was to respect the historic women’s Nations League match between Ireland and England at the Aviva Stadium on April 9th without any distractions.