Manchester United legend Roy Keane is one of the favourites to become the Republic of Ireland’s next manager after Stephen Kenny’s exit was confirmed.
On Wednesday night, the Football Association of Ireland announced that Kenny’s contract would not be renewed following the country’s failure to qualify for Euro 2024.
A statement read: ‘Having reviewed the Euro 2024 qualification campaign in its entirety, and recognising how difficult the Group was, the results needed to realise our goal of qualification for the Tournament were not achieved.
‘The Board agrees that now is the right time for change ahead of the friendly matches in March and June 2024 and the next Nations League campaign starting in September 2024.’
FAI CEO Jonathan Hill added: ‘Over the period of his tenure, Stephen and his staff have worked tirelessly to create the right environment to support the development of our senior men’s team, and we are hugely grateful for that considerable contribution.
‘Stephen has also overseen an important period of transition for our senior men’s national team and has given debuts to a significant number of new and younger players and this will serve as a solid platform for whoever now takes this group of players forward.’
Former Celtic boss and Northern Ireland international Neil Lennon is currently the bookies favourite for the job having been out of work since getting sacked by Cypriot side Omonia just over a year ago.
But Ireland legend Keane is also considered a frontrunner having expressed a desire to return to management one day, albeit under the right circumstances.
The former United and Ireland captain has previously managed Sunderland and Ipswich and served as assistant manager for his country under Martin O’Neill, but has not held a top job since 2011 or been in the dugout at all since 2019.
Others in the running include England U21 boss Lee Carsley, former Birmingham and Hull boss Steve Bruce, one time England manager Sam Allardyce and Greece boss Gus Poyet.
Next Permanent Republic of Ireland Manager Odds:
Neil Lennon – 9/4
Roy Keane – 4/1
Lee Carsley – 5/1
Steve Bruce – 11/2
Sam Allardyce – 9/1
Gus Poyet – 12/1
Robbie Keane – 20/1
Chris Hughton – 20/1
Anthony Barry – 20/1
Odds courtesy of Betfair
Kenny took charge of Ireland in April 2020 but would win just 11 of his 40 games in charge, failing to get them to Euro 2020 and 2024 as well as the 2022 World Cup.
Though qualification for next summer’s tournament was always going to be tough as they were in a group with France and the Netherlands, performances and results were poor, losing six of eight games with their only wins coming against minnows Gibraltar.
The FAI must pick Kenny’s successor carefully as not only will they have to deal with qualifying for the 2026 World Cup in North America, but more importantly Ireland is set to co-host Euro 2028 with the UK.
Due to the unusual nature of five co-hosts, automatic qualification for the home nations is not guaranteed, meaning Ireland, England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland could miss out on their own tournament.
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