Gus Poyet rejection scuppers FAI hopes of April appointment
Gus Poyet’s rejection of an offer to become Ireland manager scuppered Marc Canham’s promise of an April appointment.
The FAI board will be informed by director of football Canham on Wednesday of no permanent manager to appoint immediately.
Canham had stressed when installing John O’Shea as interim boss for the March friendlies that the plan was for the full-time chief to commence his tenure within a month.
“The process of the appointment of the permanent new head coach is very close to the end, and we look forward to announcing that new permanent head coach in early April,” he said six weeks ago.
“Existing contractual obligations mean we are not in a position to announce any further details at this point but, as we have committed to, we will announce that in early April.”
That early phase of the month has drifted into the middle and there’s no sign of it finalising before the May weekend.
It’s understood that negotiations with a particular candidate — believed to be Poyet — broke down last month and if needs be the FAI are prepared to wait until the end of the English League season in early May before widening their hunt in the face of many setbacks.
The Uruguayan had openly expressed his interest in the job while he was still Greece manager and Stephen Kenny was at the Ireland helm.
His contract expired following their shock playoff defeat to Georgia last month and its known talks with the FAI intensified without agreement being reached.
Lee Carsley was by far and away the standout target for the association from the outset. While contact was maintained until February, the terms and the timing turned him away from a job.
Chris Hughton was the other contender central to the FAI’s initial deliberations but his commitment
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