Lee Carsley has rejected an offer to become Republic of Ireland manager with the England under 21 boss hopeful of emerging as a contender to become Gareth Southgate’s successor.
The former Everton and Birmingham midfield player who won 40 caps for Ireland is highly regarded by the FA after leading the under 21’s to a historic victory at last summer’s European Championship, and would be one of the leading home-grown candidates to replace Southgate should the England manager leave when his contract expires later this year.
Carsley has been coveted by the Football Association of Ireland since last summer when it became increasingly clear that Stephen Kenny’s side were unlikely to qualify for the European Championship, with a renewed approach having taken place this week.
The 49-year-old was so wanted by the Irish that they were prepared to offer him a four-and-a-half year contract covering both the 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign and the 2028 European Championship, which will take place across the Home Nations with six games to be held in Dublin’s Aviva Stadium.
Carsley remains committed to the FA for now however, with his next job likely to be in club football if his employers look elsewhere to replace Southgate, whose contract expires in December.
There are few other British manager likely to be available when the FA need to appoint however, with Eddie Howe committed to Newcastle and Graham Potter and Steve Cooper both looking to get back into club rules following recent sackings by Chelsea and Nottingham Forest respectively.
The FAI will now have to look elsewhere to secure a manager before Ireland’s next fixtures against Belgium and Switzerland in March, with Bayern Munich assistant coach Anthony Barry also in the frame.