FAI TO DRAW BLANK Suits in France with no boss
THE hunt for an Ireland manager takes a Parisian detour for 24 hours – not that the new man will be lurking in the shadows at the Nations League draw itself.
But a drawn out process appears to be nearing an end and an appointment within the next week cannot be ruled out.
For now, FAI chief Jonathan Hill branches off from the search party to front the Association’s delegation at t o d ay ’s UEFA Congre s s a n d t hi s evening’s draw.
That draw will determine who Ireland face in their only competitive games this year – in September, October and November.
It was on November 22 that the FAI announced they would not be renewing Stephen Kenny’s contract.
In the meantime, the hunt for his successor has been far from smooth with the pursuit of early front- runner Lee Carsley hitting stumbling blocks.
The former Irish international is not believed to be out of the picture but he is unsure if the timing is right.
Neil Lennon, one of the other leading contenders, wasn’t wrong this week when he described the search as a “long process”.
The FAI had hoped to parade their new boss in the French capital, affording the chosen one as much lead- in time as possible for the Belgium and Switzerland friendlies next month.
I nst e a d , t hat FAI d e l e g a t i on i s managerless and consists of Hill, new FAI president Paul Cooke and the new independent chair Tony Keohane.
A week ago, after a four- hour board meeting at Abbotstown, Hill dodged waiting media by l eav i ng FAI HQ through a side door and hopping straight into his car.
It was left to Cooke and Keohane to speak briefly as they made a beeline for their own cars, with Cooke stating that “Jonathan will keep the process going”.
Hill, director of football Marc Canham and board member Packie Bonner have been the three key figures tasked with the appointment.
A week ago, Cooke said “numerous candidates have been identified” when he was asked about the managerial hunt.
Keohane described the process as a “work in progress”, adding it would be over “in the next short while”.
We’ll know Ireland’s competitive fixtures for 2024 before the FAI confirms the identity of Kenny’s successor – even with a growing sense that it will be soon.
The Nations League draw itself gets underway at 5pm and Ireland are in Pot 3 of League B, effectively the second tier of the competition.
The Boys in Green will be in a fourteam group and play six matches against three teams, home and away.