If Brian Kerr is to be believed, the FAI's pursuit of Lee Carsley as the next Ireland manager may be over.
Kerr was last week announced as part of interim head coach John O'Shea's backroom team for this month's friendlies against Switzerland and Belgium.
The 71-year-old will work as a Technical Advisor on O'Shea's team, alongside Glenn Whelan (assistant manager) and others. It comes almost 20 years after Kerr was removed from his role as manager of the national team after Ireland failed to qualify for the 2006 FIFA World Cup.
The search for the next permanent Ireland manager continues, after Stephen Kenny's departure late last year. For months, it has been evident that the FAI's prime target is current England U21 manager and former Ireland international Lee Carsley.
Conflicting reports over the past two months have speculated on Carsley's availability, though comments from FAI Director of Football Marc Canham last week appeared to suggest that Carsley was in the mix to be appointed.
Cold water has been poured on those hopes, however, with the incoming Brian Kerr appearing to suggest that Carsley is in fact out of the running.
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Brian Kerr suggests Lee Carsley no longer in running for Ireland job
Appearing on the Ray D'Arcy Show on RTÉ on Wednesday, Brian Kerr commented on the FAI's chase for a full-time successor to Stephen Kenny.
Kerr was asked about the long-term pursuit of Lee Carsley, and revealed that his understanding was that the line had gone cold:
Unfortunately, I don't think he's back in the picture. I could be wrong. Marc Canham, Jonathan Hill and Packie Bonner have been doing the work on this and have kept things very close to themselves.
I haven't asked what's happening but they seem very assured that they have their man and that he will be available come April. There's a couple of friendly games then in June, Hungary and Portugal. He'll be in place by then.
I'm as intrigued as everyone else. I'm in this vein now, one of John's men and I'll do whatever I've got to do to help him, Glenn (Whelan), Paddy McCarthy, and the rest of the lads get a result in these games.
It is a blow for Ireland fans, who have been hoping for news on a new manager for over three months since Stephen Kenny's departure.
13 October 2023; Republic of Ireland manager Stephen Kenny reacts after his side concede the first goal during the UEFA EURO 2024 Championship qualifying group B match between Republic of Ireland and Greece at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
Earlier this week, Marc Canham confirmed that an appointment should be announced in early April, with any earlier announcement unlikely due to "contractual obligations" on behalf of the incumbent manager.
The process of the appointment of the new permanent head coach is very close to the end and nearing its end point. We look forward to announcing that new permanent head coach in early April.
Existing contractual obligations mean that we're won't be able to announce any further details at this point, but as we have committed to, we will announce that in early April.
Those comments had led many to suggest that Carsley would see out this international window with the England U21s before departing and taking charge of Ireland. Kerr's contradictory comments appear to have put an end to any such hope.
When looking at the remaining contenders in the hunt for Ireland manager, two fit the description of Canham on Monday - namely, that they would not be available until after the upcoming international window.
Anthony Barry worked as an assistant under Stephen Kenny during 2021 and is currently working under Roberto Martinez with the Portugal team. However, with Portugal among the favourites for this summer's European Championships, it would appear unlikely that Barry will jump ship.
Likewise, Gus Poyet has repeatedly thrown his own hat in the ring but, should his Greece side qualify for EURO 2024, it is similarly unlikely that he would abandon the team ahead of this summer's finals.
The confusing picture surrounding the hunt for an Ireland manager has grown ever more confusing with this week's developments, and we can only hope that the prospect of an April appointment is a realistic one.
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