FAI in fresh approach to Barry to fill Ireland job
Renewed interest in Bayern coach highlights recruitment complications
The FAI have made a fresh attempt to try and convince Anthony Barry to become the new Ireland manager.
But it is unclear if Barry is interested in the role with the 37-year-old expected to be in demand after seeing out the Bayern Munich season with outgoing boss Thomas Tuchel.
The former Ireland assistant is also committed to assisting Portugal in this summer’s European Championships.
Barry (pictured) was on the FAI’s initial shortlist when Stephen Kenny departed but Tuchel said in December that it wasn’t an option.
Compensation would have been required to release the Liverpudlian from his contract with the German giants, with Bayern paying Chelsea in the region of £1m to recruit the highly-rated coach.
However, the Irish Independent understands that Barry’s name has entered the equation again in recent weeks given developments in Munich.
According to a source close to the FAI process, director of football Marc Canham has indicated privately that Barry is a target. Contact has been established but there is no clarity on Barry’s intentions.
A renewed pursuit of Barry would again reflect that the process of finding a replacement for Kenny has become more complicated than anticipated.
In March, Canham said “existing contractual arrangements” precluded the FAI from naming their new manager until April.
It has since been reported that Gus Poyet was offered the role in the aftermath of Greece’s Euro 2024 play-off defeat to Georgia – although it’s believed that Georgia coach Willy Sagnol was also on the FAI’s radar prior to his side’s victory.
John O’Shea served as interim for the March games with Belgium and Switzerland and is waiting to find out where he stands in the FAI’s plans.
Barry was recruited to the Ireland fold by Kenny ahead of World Cup 2022 qualifying after the departure of Damien Duff, but he ended up leaving to join the Belgium staff for the finals in Qatar.
He subsequently followed Roberto Martinez to Portugal where he has continued to mix club and international commitments.
Barry had turned down opportunities to manage in the club sphere in England before renewing his relationship with Tuchel but will now face a decision on his next move in the summer.
The FAI have previously said they would like their new man to start in April but Barry is due to be with Bayern for the remainder of the season before linking up with Portugal for the Euros.
But there has been speculation in Germany that Tuchel’s departure date could be brought forward after a nightmare run of results – with Bayern under pressure to deliver in the Champions League.