Budget a factor in Carsley impasse
The FAI are in danger of losing their No 1 managerial target Lee Carsley for just €250,000 per year.
Negotiations with England’s U21 boss are believed to have struck an impasse over the staff budget on offer, not necessarily his salary but the allowance available to enlist his preferred coaching staff.
Both ex-teammate Shay Given and his former Ireland manager Brian Kerr have this week claimed Carsley won’t be filling the vacancy available since Stephen Kenny was released on November 22.
While it’s understood the 40-times capped Ireland midfielder has expressed a desire to lead Ireland into the Nations League and next year’s World Cup qualifiers, two red line items were essential.
Firstly was the timing, with the four month gap between international windows ideal but proving more difficult to navigate are the terms.
Finance is not thought to be a driving motivation on the 49-year-old’s agenda but he’s currently in well-paid secure employment after leading England to their first Euro U21 crown for 39 years last July.
The former Everton and Birmingham City midfielder has also spurned offers from Championship clubs, such as Stoke City, who dangle annual salaries smashing the €1m mark.
Speaking last week at the Nations draw in Paris that pitted Ireland against England, Finland and Greece from September, FAI chief executive Jonathan Hill denied money was an obstacle.
“We talk to the board in relation to the financial parameters that ideally we have been looking at,” he outlined.
“I think it is reasonable public knowledge as to how much we paid our previous manager and look, as everyone knows we have a tight budget for 2024 and beyond, but that wasn't going to be the defining criteria in relation to the search.
“We
Read on irishexaminer.com
