The FAI’s search for a new men’s team manager will likely extend into next month after Lee Carsley cooled his interest in the vacancy.
Plans to present a preferred candidate to the FAI board next Tuesday to be anointed were hurtled into a tailspin when attempts to lure the former Ireland midfielder from his England U21 post hit the rocks this week.
The FAI delegation of Director of Football Marc Canham, chief executive Jonathan Hill and board member Packie Bonner spent the early part of the week at English’s FA headquarters in St George’s Park speaking to candidates on their shortlist.
Carsley and Neil Lennon topped that list but it’s understood the former has shied away from the chance of taking on the job following negotiations.
Reports in the UK media that he flatly rejected a four-year deal have been disputed by FAI sources but the candidature of Lennon is being seriously considered as the headhunting exercise takes an unforeseen turn.
It has also raised the possibility of the subcommittee reassessing options previously excluded during the pruning such as Chris Hughton and Roy Keane.
Hill had expressed his desire to have Stephen Kenny’s successor in-situ for the Uefa Nations League draw on Thursday week, February 8, the ceremony in Paris mapping out Ireland’s competitive schedule in League B between September and November.
The chief executive’s rationale centred on the newcomer requiring time to assemble his backroom team with a view to the four friendlies organised as preparation.
The first double-header is on March 23 and 26 against Belgium and Switzerland respectively, with another two games against yet-to-be-confirmed opponents pencilled in for June.
Carsley had been the prime contender for the job in the
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