Republic of Ireland manager: FAI deliver update on Stephen Kenny’s successor

November 22 marked the end of Stephen Kenny’s reign as Republic of Ireland boss following a disappointing Euro 2024 qualifying campaign.

Defeats at home and away against Greece, Netherlands and France left the Boys in Green seven points adrift of Gus Poyet’s Greek outfit with their only two wins of the campaign coming against minnows Gibraltar.

Since then, the FAI have been searching for the next manager to take charge of the men’s national team.

Several names have been sounded out within the media and by supporters, with former Ireland captain Roy Keane and ex-Irish international Chris Hughton among some of the mentions. 

But reports in the last week suggest that the search has been narrowed down to two candidates.

England under-21 head coach Lee Carsley, a 40-cap Ireland international, reportedly remains the FAI’s top target while former Celtic boss Neil Lennon is supposedly in the running too, and has publicly declared his interest in the job.

The FAI, who held a board meeting with directors on Tuesday, would have gone through the progression of the recruitment process with Chief Executive Jonathan Hill and Director of Football Marc Canham in attendance.

Speaking to RTÉ Sport, FAI President Paul Cooke said: “It went well, we received the update [on the managerial recruitment process] quite well,” when asked about Tuesday’s meeting.

Cooke remarked that there was “no timeline” on the appointment and that the association would have someone in place as soon as they identified the appropriate candidate and they accepted that role.

He added that “numerous people have been identified.”

Meanwhile, FAI Chairman Tony Keohane told RTÉ that the recruitment process is a “work in progress” and he’d expect an appointment in the “not too distant future”.

It remains to be seen if the FAI will have an announcement to make before the UEFA Nations League draw in Paris on February 8 but one would expect a head coach in situ before the March international window.

March 23 – Republic of Ireland v Belgium (Aviva Stadium)

March 26 – Republic of Ireland v Switzerland (Aviva Stadium)