As Stephen Kenny prepares for the Euro 2024 qualifiers against France and the Netherlands in November, there has been plenty of speculation that poor results in those fixtures could see his Ireland tenure brought to an end.
The loss to Greece last month was viewed as a potential watershed moment in his reign, with the team completely outclassed against a nation of supposedly similar quality. Indeed, there were few signs of the progress many claimed the the side had been making over the last 18 months or so.
It has been suggested that a poor return from the game in September could be the final nail in the coffin for Kenny.
It probably doesn't help him that one obvious candidate for the job has experienced some massive success in recent weeks.
Lee Carsley is thought to be the FAI's preferred candidate to replace Kenny, with the former Ireland midfielder currently in charge of the England U21s. That team won the European Championships over the weekend, going the entire tournament without conceding a goal and playing some exhilarating football along the way.
However, it remains to be seen whether he would be open to taking the role.
Tony Cascarino says England need to keep Ireland target onboard
Lee Carsley is out of contract in the coming months, with the 49-year old operating on a rolling one-year deal with the FA. That means a deal with Ireland would be relatively straightforward should that be his preferred option.
In saying that, England will no doubt be keen to keep him on board. Gareth Southgate previously graduated from the U21 role to the top job and they will want to keep their options open when it comes to Carsley going down the same route.
Speaking on talkSPORT, former Ireland striker Tony Cascarino said that it would be 'madness' for the FA not to do everything they could to keep him onboard.
𝗡𝗦: "Do you think the The FA have to do everything they can to ensure Lee Carsley stays?"
𝗧𝗖: There is never a lack of talent with England. Aidy Boothroyd was wrong, it's not the impossible job."
Tony Cascarino heaps praise on the #englandu21s and Lee Carsley 🏆 pic.twitter.com/daN2UlfA9G— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) July 9, 2023
How did Gareth Southgate get the England job? He managed at younger levels...
They looked at Gareth and thought 'he has been doing really well with the U21s', looked at players and how they progressed. From there he was left in and he's still there how many years later? He has been there a long time, Gareth.
It would be madness (to let Carsley leave).
Irish football has been suffering, I've witnessed it. Lee has done brilliant with this group of players...
Clubs will be looking at Lee Carsley and thinking he has done brilliantly well, how he has handled the group, watched the unity. He will tell you, there's never a lack of talent with England.
There is no doubt that the FA will be keen to keep Lee Carsley in his role with the U21s, although he may feel that it is now the right time to move into senior football.
From an Ireland perspective, their window to recruit him could well be closed by the time they make a final decision on Stephen Kenny's future.
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