Lee Carsley favourite for Ireland job as FAI overlook Chris Hughton
The FAI’s search for a new men’s manager will intensify next week with Lee Carsley favourite to land the vacancy.
From an initial field of 15 candidates in December, that’s been whittled down to a final shortlist and doesn’t feature Chris Hughton.
What was recently thought to be a two-horse race between Carsley and fellow former Ireland international Hughton has perished after the Ghana boss was overlooked in the final shake-up.
Carsley, currently in charge of the England U21s he led to European gold last summer, still has competition during the run-in to a decision but it’s believed Neil Lennon nudged Hughton from the status of main rival.
Rumours of Anthony Barry’s candidacy resurfaced in recent days but that was always a non-runner after Bayern Munich confirmed no approach has been received from the FAI for permission to speak with their assistant coach.
Thomas Tuchel succeeded in luring his former Chelsea sidekick to Germany and immediately poured cold water on him departing when the original link emerged in the English media four weeks ago.
The FAI’s Director of Football Marc Canham has been tasked with sourcing a successor to Stephen Kenny, whose contract wasn’t renewed in November after a disappointing tenure encompassing 40 matches.
Chief executive Jonathan Hill revealed on December 8 that exploratory discussions had been held with ‘everyone we want to speak to’ without specifying if they’d sought permission from clubs or associations to interview contenders already employed.
It is now expected that deeper discussions will be held with the shortlisted candidates next week.
As occurred in the pursuit of a women’s manager in the latter part of 2023, Chair of the FAI’s High Performance and International committee,
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