ALWAYS PROUD TO DON GREEN
FROM BACK PAGE other people, I’m committed to this campaign.”
John O’shea is Ireland’s interim boss for Saturday’s friendly clash with Belgium and Tuesday’s game against Switzerland.
But the FAI will announce Kenny’s permanent successor in April, after the women’s internationals against France and England.
According to FAI director of football Marc Canham, “existing contractual obligations” prevent the Association from revealing the next manager’s identity at this point.
But Coleman is ready to make himself available to Kenny’s successor after missing the majority of 2023 due to a serious knee injury.
The 35-year-old, who is set to face Belgium, said last night: “As players we just come in and want to do the best that we can for our country.
“I’ve always been one that no matter what manager is there or not there, you’ve got that pride within yourself.
“I want us to do as well as we can for the manager at the minute and see where that brings us.”
And Everton skipper Coleman revealed that international retirement did not cross his mind while laid up with that medial knee ligament injury.
“It’s hard to walk away from something that you really love,” he admitted. “I have to be honest with myself as well. I’ve always said if I felt that people were skipping past me in training and that it didn’t feel right, I’d have to have a good, hard look at myself.
“The games I’ve played in this year, I’ve felt good. I’ve played against some good wingers this season and I’ve felt good, I’ve felt strong.
“I’ll be honest with myself when that time comes but for as long as I can I won’t say no to my national team, absolutely not.” Yesterday, Carsley finally broke his silence on the FAI’S attempts to get him on board.
The 50-year-old (inset) is currently in Baku for the England U21 qualifier with Azerbaijan tomorrow and Tuesday’s clash at home to Luxembourg.
Carsley said: “We had an initial conversation in November. I went to speak to them. Really informal, enjoyable, for around an hour. It went no further.
“It was good to see what their thoughts were and to explore whether I was ready to take that next step. It just went no further. I didn’t push it.
“I’ve always said that I’m really privileged to do this job I’m in. I appreciate that I’m in a really good position with a lot of responsibility.”