It’s been a wild ride as the hunt for the next Ireland Men’s National Team head coach heats up.
While Lee Carsley looks less and less likely to take the Republic of Ireland job, some shock contenders have come out of the woodwork of late, including reports of Slaven Bilic and Gus Poyet taking over.
The latest shock contender to appear in reports is Champions League winner Willy Sagnol.
Currently in charge of the Georgia national team, Sagnol is a former France and Bayern Munich full-back, winning the top European honour with the German giants.
Sagnol’s coaching career has seen him involved in the set-up at the French national team and as assistant to Carlo Ancelotti at Munich, as well as taking the head coach job for just over a season at Bordeaux.
Currently fighting for a spot in Euro 2024, Sagnol’s Georgia will face Luxembourg in a play-off semi-final in two weeks. If successful, they’ll need to beat Poyet’s Greece or Kazakhstan.
Champions League winner emerges as contender for Ireland job
However, Sagnol suggests that despite being on the verge of qualifying for their first-ever major tournament, the manager could walk away from the role soon.
In a recent interview (via the Sun), Sagnol was asked whether this campaign would be his last.
“Yes, I think so,” the 46-year-old replied.
“To work sometimes in conditions that are not always easy, with fewer means and resources, you need daily motivation.
“And perhaps continuing after a defeat in the play-offs, or on the contrary after a historic qualification, can prove complicated.
“Because it takes a lot of energy and motivation because at some point, it will take someone else with a different way of doing things to give it a boost.”
On Monday, March 4, FAI Director of Football Marc Canham stated that a permanent Ireland boss would be announced in April, following John O’Shea’s stint as interim manager for the two international friendlies this month.
“The process of the appointment of the permanent new head coach is very close to the end, nearing the end-point, and we look forward to announcing that new permanent head coach in early April,” Canham said.
“Existing contractual obligations mean we are not in a position to announce any further details on this point, but as we have committed to, we will announce that in early April.”
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Meanwhile, Brian Kerr, who is back in the fold with Ireland in a technical advisory role, said that he would be “surprised” if Lee Carsley took the job. The England Under-21 manager has long been the favourite for the role but appears to be staying put.
Speaking on The Ray D’Arcy Show, Kerry said: “Lee played when I was manager and I’ve been in touch with Lee a bit, and I’d be surprised. Unfortunately, I don’t think that he is in the picture, but I could be wrong.”
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