Coughlan: FAI have right idea

strategy to promote the development of football in the long-term, he is set to face a series of questions about the hunt for a new senior manager.

Shortly before news of Coleman’s exit from the race emerged, his former Blackburn Rovers teammate and current Newport County boss Graham Coughlan spoke of his suitability for the role.

He revealed how the Swansea-born man (below) spent international windows in Dublin watching Ireland matches.

“Stephen (Kenny) did a lot of work with the young lads in the squad,” Coughlan told the Irish Daily Star.

“To take that onto the next level, I think the FAI could have the right man to push these players even further, if they went with Cookie (Coleman).

Visitors

“You cannot underestimate what he did with Wales, leading them to the semi-finals of Euro 2016.

“He has bags of experience and enthusiasm, he’s a great lad and he loves this country.

“He used to go over to Dublin with (former Blackburn pal) Jeff Kenna for games.

“They were regular visitors together, they’d come over and watch Ireland games whenever they had time off.”

However, it now appears that Coleman was one of the candidates who received calls from Abbotstown over the weekend, informing them they were no longer under consideration.

Meanwhile, Coleman’s son, Sonny, last night snapped back at fans on social media complaining about his father being linked to the Ireland job.

Taking to X, Sonny replied to numerous tweets criticising his father’s record since leaving the Wales job, including telling a journalist to “do it (His homework) better.”

Sonny also took issue with another fan who claimed that Coleman’s success with Wales was down to Gareth Bale.