The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) has officially begun its search for a new manager to replace Stephen Kenny, who recently departed from his role as the head of the Republic of Ireland national team. Kenny’s departure follows a three-and-a-half-year tenure during which he couldn’t guide the team to qualification for a major tournament. With friendly games scheduled for March, the FAI is now on the lookout for a suitable successor to lead the team from the Aviva Stadium dugout.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the potential candidates who could step into this important role:
Neil Lennon
Neil Lennon, the former Northern Ireland captain, has been without managerial duties for over a year after being sacked by Cypriot side Omonia. With more than a decade of managerial experience, Lennon boasts an impressive resume, having won 10 trophies during his two spells at Celtic, as well as securing the Scottish Championship title with Hibernian and lifting the Cypriot Cup.
Lennon’s connection to the Republic of Ireland job goes back to 2018 when he was previously linked to the role after Martin O’Neill’s departure. However, at that time, he was content with his position at Hibernian. Given his availability now, he might find the prospect of international management appealing.
Lee Carsley
Lee Carsley, a former Republic of Ireland international himself, has gained recognition as a potential candidate for the manager’s position. The 49-year-old Birmingham native earned 40 caps for the Republic and played at the 2002 World Cup. His managerial career recently received a boost when he led England’s U21s to victory in the European Championship.
While taking charge of the Republic of Ireland’s World Cup 2026 qualification campaign would represent a significant step up for Carsley, his success with a young squad could make him a compelling choice to further develop the youthful team that Kenny assembled.
Chris Hughton
Another former Republic of Ireland international, Chris Hughton, possesses a wealth of managerial experience. Hughton has managed clubs like Newcastle United, Birmingham City, Norwich City, Brighton, and Nottingham Forest, with promotions to the Premier League achieved with both Newcastle and Brighton.
Currently overseeing the Ghana national team, Hughton is under contract until the end of 2024. However, with Ghana participating in the Africa Cup of Nations in January, luring Hughton away from his current role could prove challenging.
Gus Poyet
Gus Poyet, the Uruguayan manager, played a role in Stephen Kenny’s exit by leading Greece to victories over the Republic in Euro 2024 qualifying matches. Intriguingly, Poyet has expressed his interest in the Republic of Ireland managerial position on two occasions.
Poyet’s managerial career has taken him to various clubs around the world, including Brighton, Betis, Bordeaux, Shanghai, and Santiago. While his experience is vast, some concerns arise from his short spells at certain clubs. The FAI would need to consider this before making a decision.
Roy Keane
Roy Keane, arguably one of the Republic of Ireland’s greatest ever players, has expressed his desire to return to management. The former Manchester United and Republic of Ireland captain served as Martin O’Neill’s assistant from 2013 to 2018.
However, the key issue surrounding Keane is the significant amount of time he has spent away from management, nearly 13 years since his last managerial role at Ipswich. Despite his successful punditry career in recent years, Keane may believe in his ability to quickly adapt to the managerial role once again, but it remains uncertain if the FAI shares the same perspective.
Others
There are a few more potential candidates to consider. Jim Crawford, who took over as the Under-21 manager after Stephen Kenny’s promotion, has shown promise but would face a significant step-up in responsibility. Stephen Bradley, the manager of Shamrock Rovers, stands out in the domestic league, having led his team to four consecutive league titles. Additionally, Republic of Ireland legend Damien Duff, currently in charge at Shelbourne, may be a fan favorite, though his relative inexperience as a manager could be a factor to consider.
The FAI has a challenging decision ahead as they seek to find the right person to lead the Republic of Ireland national team into the future. The choice will have a significant impact on the team’s performance and the aspirations of fans across the nation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Republic of Ireland Managerial Candidates
Who is Stephen Kenny, and why is the Republic of Ireland looking for a new manager?
Stephen Kenny is the former manager of the Republic of Ireland national football team. The Republic of Ireland is searching for a new manager because Stephen Kenny’s contract was not renewed after he failed to qualify for a major tournament during his three-and-a-half-year tenure.
Who are some of the potential candidates to replace Stephen Kenny?
Several potential candidates have been mentioned as successors to Stephen Kenny. These include Neil Lennon, Lee Carsley, Chris Hughton, Gus Poyet, and Roy Keane. Each of these individuals brings their own unique qualifications and experience to the table.
What are Neil Lennon’s credentials as a potential Republic of Ireland manager?
Neil Lennon, the former Northern Ireland captain, has over a decade of managerial experience, including successful stints at Celtic and Hibernian. He has also had a successful playing career and was previously linked to the Republic job in 2018.
Why is Lee Carsley considered a potential candidate for the Republic of Ireland managerial role?
Lee Carsley, a former Republic of Ireland international, led England’s U21s to European Championship victory. His ability to work with a young squad could make him a suitable choice to continue developing the youthful Republic team.
What managerial experience does Chris Hughton bring to the table?
Chris Hughton, another former Republic of Ireland international, has managed several clubs, including Newcastle United and Brighton, achieving promotions to the Premier League. He is currently in charge of the Ghana national team.
What can you tell us about Gus Poyet’s interest in the Republic of Ireland job?
Gus Poyet, the Uruguayan manager, has expressed his interest in the Republic of Ireland managerial position. He has managed various clubs worldwide but has had short spells in some jobs, which could be a consideration for the FAI.
Is Roy Keane a realistic candidate, considering his time away from management?
Roy Keane, a legendary former player for both Manchester United and the Republic of Ireland, has expressed his desire to return to management. However, he has been out of management for nearly 13 years, which raises questions about his readiness for the role.
Are there any other potential candidates worth mentioning?
Yes, there are a couple of other potential candidates to consider. Jim Crawford, who took over the Under-21 role, and Stephen Bradley, the manager of Shamrock Rovers, both have their own credentials. Additionally, Republic of Ireland legend Damien Duff is currently managing Shelbourne, though his relative inexperience could be a factor to consider.
What factors will the FAI consider when choosing the new manager?
The FAI will likely consider factors such as the candidates’ managerial experience, their ability to work with the team’s existing talent, their past successes, and their readiness to take on the responsibilities of leading the Republic of Ireland national team.
When can we expect an announcement regarding the new Republic of Ireland manager?
The timing of an announcement regarding the new Republic of Ireland manager is uncertain. The FAI will likely take its time to carefully evaluate the candidates before making a decision, and the process may take some time to complete.
More about Republic of Ireland Managerial Candidates
- [Stephen Kenny’s departure confirmed](Link 1)
- [Neil Lennon’s managerial experience](Link 2)
- [Lee Carsley’s success with England’s U21s](Link 3)
- [Chris Hughton’s managerial career](Link 4)
- [Gus Poyet’s interest in the Republic of Ireland job](Link 5)
- [Roy Keane’s managerial hiatus](Link 6)
- [Jim Crawford’s performance as Under-21 manager](Link 7)
- [Stephen Bradley’s achievements at Shamrock Rovers](Link 8)
- [Damien Duff’s managerial career](Link 9)
- [Factors considered in selecting a new manager](Link 10)
