England U21 boss Carsley tops Ireland wishlist as FA braced for approach

12 September 2023 , 10:08

578     0

Lee Carsley guided England Under-21s to the European title in July (Image: Michael Regan/The FA)

England Under-21 boss Lee Carsley is top of the shortlist to become Ireland’s next senior manager and the FA are braced for an official approach to arrive imminently.

Current Irish chief Stephen Kenny will not be offered a new contract following a dismal Euro 2024 qualification campaign. And FA of Ireland discussions are now centred on whether to sack the Dubliner before October’s internationals or allow him to see out a group stage in which they have lost four of their opening five fixtures.

Carsley is their preferred option to take over with former star player Damien Duff, who is currently in charge of domestic club Shelbourne, and Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna also being mentioned as alternative options.

But the new boss may not be expected to step in immediately. If Kenny is sacked in the coming days there is the prospect of an interim stepping in for their remaining three qualifiers to allow his replacement the opportunity to begin with a blank canvas.

In July Carsley guided the Young Lions to their first European Championship since 1984 but he is on a rolling one-year contract with the FA and they are already braced for an official approach from their Irish counterparts.

Rise of Balogun as Arsenal loanee outscores Mbappe thanks to as Henry's input

The former midfielder earned 40 caps for Ireland and has previously spoken of his desire to assist. He turned down the opportunity to become their Under-21 manager in 2018, with the gig instead going to Kenny. Carsley has since turned down offers from clubs in the EFL.

“It was something I considered,” Carsley said the day he was unveiled as England Under-21 boss in 2021. “I obviously played for Ireland so there’s a connection there. There always will be that, wanting to help. But I was very much focused on being at Man City at the time.

“I was happy doing what I was doing. It was mainly Kevin Kilbane pushing for me to do it. He’s a good friend of mine so it was mostly him.”

Stephen Kenny's days as Ireland manager are numbered. (Tommy Grealy/REX/Shutterstock)

Ireland were beaten 2-1 by the Netherlands in Dublin on Sunday night, following on from a defeat away to France in which they were fortunate to only concede twice. They have also been beaten by Greece with their only win coming against minnows Gibraltar.

Kenny has said he remains focused on October’s a home game with the Greeks and Gibraltar away but has conceded that his future is now out of his hands.

Alan Smith