Pressure mounting on FAI as mystery surrounds identity of new manager

The FAI have declined to comment on reports that Gus Poyet rebuffed a 48-hour ultimatum to become the Republic of Ireland manager.

Poyet was a self-proclaimed candidate for the job before the association cut ties with Stephen Kenny on November 22nd, after the Greece manager masterminded home and away wins over Ireland during last year’s Euro 2024 qualifiers.

The Uruguayan’s contract with the Greek football federation ended on Sunday, March 31st.

The 131-day (and counting) search looks set to go on. The FAI hope to unveil their man on Friday, April 12th, having missed three previous deadlines to complete an interview process conducted by FAI chief executive Jonathan Hill, director of football Marc Canham and Packie Bonner.

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The protracted managerial hunt has seen Roy Keane interviewed three times by the FAI, and contact made with the likes of Neil Lennon, Chris Coleman and Chris Hughton, who stepped away from consideration following a difficult period as Ghana manager.

The mystery manager is looking increasingly likely to be John O’Shea. The interim head coach for the March friendlies against Belgium and Switzerland, O’Shea’s team failed to score over 180 minutes before dwindling crowds at the Aviva Stadium.

Appointing the former Manchester United defender will be interpreted as a failed recruitment process by the FAI as O’Shea was not considered for an interview as recently as December due to his lack of experience.

Canham said in February that the FAI are “very close” to an appointment and the latest delay was caused by “existing contractual obligations”. O’Shea denied that he was hindered by any such constraints.

Canham has led what he deems a “robust, professional, confidential” process since at least as far back as November. He has a recent history of appointing an interim manager, with Ireland women’s coach Eileen Gleeson earning an 18-month contract after guiding Katie McCabe’s team unbeaten through last year’s Nations League B campaign.

Gleeson’s initial management team was largely retained, as looks to be the case with the current men’s backroom. Negotiations with Poyet and apparently Carsley came unstuck over coaching personnel rather than money, although the latter could command a significantly higher salary at an English Championship club.

Canham also insisted the position would be filled by an “on the grass” coach, which does not chime with Poyet or Keane, although Carsley and Anthony Barry fit the profile.

Ultimately, Carsley chose to continue coaching the England under-21s over the senior Ireland job. He is being tipped to replace Gareth Southgate as senior England manager in 2025.

Barry also reportedly turned down the Ireland job, according to The Times in London. After rave reviews as a number two for Kenny’s Ireland, with Thomas Tuchel at Chelsea and Bayern Munich, and with Roberto Martínez at Belgium and currently Portugal, the 37-year-old is linked to the Sporting Lisbon post if Rúben Amorim replaces Jurgen Klopp as Liverpool manager.

Willy Sagnol was another contender but his Georgia side beat Poyet’s Greece on penalties last Tuesday to qualify for the Euros via the play-offs, so the former French full back is expected to travel to Germany this summer.

The FAI insist their new manager must begin work immediately. The latest delay from “early April” to April 12th was to avoid overshadowing the historic women’s Nations League meeting between Ireland and England at the Aviva Stadium on April 9th.