Neil Lennon waiting in wings for Republic of Ireland job as FA sure of keeping Lee Carsley
Neil Lennon
FA officials in England remain adamant Lee Carsley is going nowhere with Neil Lennon’s name coming into fresh focus as a potential Plan B solution for the FAI in their search for a new manager.
The England U-21 boss was identified as the FAI’s primary target to replace Stephen Kenny and Carsley has been free to conduct talks about the role without the need for permission from his employers.
However, he has kept his cards close to his chest about his actual level of interest in taking the Republic of Ireland job at this moment in time, even though the idea of managing the country he represented 40 times has always appealed to him.
The FA would need to be approached by the FAI at an advanced stage but that scenario has not come to pass and one UK media report has ruled Carsley out of the Irish picture completely on the basis he could be an option to replace Gareth Southgate after the European Championships.
Lee Carsley has reportedly turned down the FAI's offers. Photo: Getty Images
His enjoyment of his current role is such that he has turned down higher-paid opportunities in the club sphere.
While the FAI will naturally have to present any new manager as their first choice, other candidates who have expressed interest have always been working off the impression that the job is Carsley’s to turn down despite the fact that Abbotstown officials have held discussions with several options.
It’s understood the FAI initially indicated to prospective bosses that they would have clarity on the picture early in January and the feeling amongst the alternatives is that Carsley re-entering the picture – he was cold on the idea before Christmas – has shaped the time-frame.
Lennon has stressed his interest in the job in
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