Heading into the Euro 2024 qualifying campaign, there was a sense that Ireland would get a true measure any progress they had made under Stephen Kenny in the two fixtures against Greece.
Considering that France and the Netherlands were also in the group, it was always an unlikely prospect that Ireland were going to secure a top two finish. However, playing against a side of similar quality in the Greeks would provide a good idea as to how the team stacked up against other European nations of a comparable stature.
It's fair to say it didn't go well.
Ireland were thoroughly outplayed in both games, falling to a 2-1 defeat in Athens in June before losing 2-0 in the return game in Dublin in Ovtober.
It was clear that the Irish were thoroughly outplayed in both games, with Gus Poyet having certainly won the battle of the coaches when facing off against Kenny.
After that second game, Poyet would make the surprising revelation that he would be interested in taking the Ireland job should it become available.
While his Greece team could still qualify for Euro 2024, he is still very much intrigued by the now vacant position.
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Gus Poyet remains intrigued by Republic of Ireland job
Greece are set to face Kazakhstan in a Euro 2024 play-off semi-final in March, where a victory would seal a meeting with either Luxembourg or Georgia for a place in the finals.
However, Gus Poyet's contract is set to expire on March 31st and there is no guarantee he will stay on as manager even if they do qualify for the tournament in Germany.
Speaking to Balls for Carlsberg 0.0, we quizzed Gus Poyet on whether he is still interested in the Irish job. It's fair to say that he would see it as an attractive proposition after being blown away by the Irish supporters back in October.
It was a game as a sportsperson that you would like to play in. You play away from home in an incredible stadium, the grass was spectacular, with a great atmosphere, we played well and we won, so it was a perfect football day for me. I thought it was important to say it.
Obviously at that time, and I promise you I don't come with any idea about future possibilities of coming here, but somebody very clever came and created a little bit of news.
I think for any coach who wants to work at international level, if he knows football in Ireland, the characteristics of the players, and the support he is going to get, I think it's a great job.
It depends on the FA which characteristics from a manager they are looking for...
The timing is not right. I am focused on the play-offs and I am very happy in Greece. The truth is that my contract finishes on the 31st of March, independently of the result of the play-off. That's the truth.
People are getting upset because I am saying it. You want me to wait until the 1st of April to apply (elsewhere)? At the moment I am fully focused.
I had some calls in December, I cannot tell you the teams. I am focused on March, that's everything I can say.
If on the 1st of April I don't have a job, like any person I will start looking for a job. Then what is available, we will see.
Pictured is former Chelsea footballer and current Greece national team manager Gus Poyet on behalf of Carlsberg 0.0, previewing the Liverpool FC vs Chelsea Premier League fixture this Wednesday.
While the support behind the team is one attractive aspect of the Ireland job, another one comes in the form of budding young striker Evan Ferguson.
The Brighton man is widely regarded as one of the brightest up and coming in prospects in world football, with the next Irish manager set to get the opportunity to work with the 19-year old as he matures into a top class player.
Gus Poyet certainly sees him as a hugely exciting prospect, although he did say that Ferguson needed to be careful in mapping out his career from this point onwards.
Right now, Ferguson just needs to stay fit and play. If he does that, he will become an incredible top striker. It's important that he maintains that...
If you leave Brighton, with the level Brighton are at now, it's for one of the top four or five clubs.
Everything he can do at this this age, playing is important. It's not a matter of being in a hurry to go somewhere and then your career stops a little bit because you don't play.
The problem is that he's a striker. Everyone is looking for a striker, everyone. All the coaches, including me, are looking for a striker who is young, is playing, and is scoring goals.
I would say he needs time. I think knowing (Brighton chairman) Tony Bloom, it will be difficult to buy him. The price will probably be a little bit high.
The race to become the next Ireland manager was blown open in recent days, with Lee Carsley reportedly ruling himself out of the running having previously been the favourite for the position.
With the recruitment process now likely to be extended, perhaps Gus Poyet will become a more attractive proposition for the FAI.
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CARLSBERG 0.0 TEAMS UP WITH BALLS.IE TO HOST FOOTBALLING LEGENDS GUS POYET AND BRUCE GROBBELAAR AHEAD OF THE PREMIER LEAGUE FIXTURE BETWEEN LIVERPOOL FC AND CHELSEA.
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