Gus Poyet declares interest in taking over as Ireland manager
Gus Poyet is interested in pitching to become the next Ireland manager as Stephen Kenny’s disastrous reign nears endgame.
Double-defeat to Poyet’s Greece, the latest a 2-0 reverse on Friday at Aviva Stadium, was central to Ireland’s Euro 2024 qualification ambitions being over with two games to spare.
The former Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur attacker has relaunched his managerial career on his first international assignment, defying their fourth seeding in Group B to be jockeying for Netherlands for the second ticket to Germany next year alongside a French side already there by winning all six of their pool matches.
As a fallback, they are guaranteed a playoff next March by topping their Nations League C late last year. The Uruguayan had first managed in England with Brighton and Hove Albion and Sunderland.
His role in resurrecting a Greek side without a tournament qualification since the 2014 World Cup has drawn admirers and the FAI may consider pouncing after they bring Kenny’s three-and-a-half year tenure to an end following the November 22 friendly against New Zealand – at the latest.
The 56-year-old certainly seems open to the upcoming vacancy. He’s had Ireland’s number over this campaign and sees potential in the squad to leave behind a dark period that’s slumped the team towards the sixties of FIFA’s World rankings.
“I would love that - absolutely love that,” said Poyet, whose contract expires over the next year.
“I think it is a terrific place to come and play football. When we first came into Aviva stadium, the reaction of the players was ‘wow’.
“I was even surprised coming from the hotel, watching the people. I pay attention a lot. How many people have got the tracksuit? The black one. How many people have the
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