The search for a permanent Irish manager has hit yet another snag, as reports in Greece suggest that Gus Poyet - the favourite for the job - has turned down the offer of a five-year contract from the FAI.
Poyet was solidified as the front-runner in recent weeks by the elimination of Lee Carsley from contention.
FAI Director of Football Marc Canham had stated that their preferred candidate could not be announced until early April, leading many to believe Poyet would step into the role when his contract with Greece expired on March 31.
After Greece were eliminated by Georgia in their EURO 2024 play-off final last week, rumours intensified that Poyet would take the Ireland job - but Greek outlet Sport 24 now report that he has definitively turned down an approach from the FAI.
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Report: Gus Poyet says no to five-year contract offer from FAI for Ireland job
The report from Sport 24 suggests that the FAI came to Poyet with a remarkable five-year contract offer, the end goal of which would be automatic qualification for EURO 2028 on home soil.
After two days of deliberation, Poyet turned down the offer, choosing instead to hold out in the hope of a new contract with the Greek FA.
Though defeat to Georgia was acrimonious, Poyet is still said to be popular with the playing squad, with members of the squad allegedly pushing the FA to keep Poyet in the role when consulted on the matter in Tbilisi Airport after the play-off final.
13 October 2023; Greece manager Gus Poyet 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
Former Chelsea player Poyet had put himself in the mix to be the next head coach late last year while visiting Dublin as the Greek manager for a EURO 2024 qualifier.
Poyet masterminded a 2-0 win over Stephen Kenny's Ireland in that October tie but, in rather bizarre and unexpected post-match comments, appeared to put himself in the shop window for the FAI.
It is a big plus for us to have this situation now and be able to beat the Republic of Ireland twice because, I tell you, the support in here. I would like to be in charge of the team here...
I would love that. I would absolutely love that. I think it is a terrific place to come and play football. I was even surprised coming from the hotel, watching the people. I pay attention a lot. How many people have got the tracksuit? The black one. How many people have the green.
With Poyet having openly expressed his interest in the job, and his contract known to be set to expire on March 31, he appeared to be the prime remaining candidate in the FAI's search for a new head coach.
The Uruguayan now appears to be out of the frame, leaving an ever-dwindling field of candidates looking even smaller. Interim head coach John O'Shea may yet be offered the role on a permanent basis, while question marks remain over every other leading candidates such as Willy Sagnol and Roy Keane.
The search goes on.
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