FAI top brass should push the boat out for Carsley

Up until a couple of weeks ago, the appointment process for choosing a new Republic of Ireland manager was impressive.

Obviously, none of us are party to what is going on in the background, but what impressed me was the tight-lipped nature of the process. Next to nothing had seeped out about candidates, potential candidates, interviews, backroom teams and everything else in between. That was encouraging.

But all of that has changed over the last fortnight with story after story about the identity of the next boss, in what is the biggest job in Irish sport.

The Republic of Ireland senior men’s team is the biggest show in town.

No other team has the capability to stop the nation in its tracks when a big, big game is on – those of you fortunate to remember the heady days of the late 1980s and early 1990s will understand that better than anyone of my generation ever can. But even still, we can recall the hype of the 2002 World Cup, both on and off the field, and much more besides. When Ireland are going well, nothing comes close.

So the appointment of the next manager is an important thing. And the way the process has revealed itself over the past couple of weeks hardly inspires confidence. Yet, now is not the time to panic.

It’s hard to know what to believe, but the heir apparent, Lee Carsley, appears to have cooled, then warmed up, and maybe cooled again on the prospect of becoming Stephen Kenny’s successor.

Several criteria must be met, according to sources, including that the new boss must have a base in Ireland and must also oversee the implementation – or at least some sort of joined up thinking – of a strategy and style of play through the underage sides and all the way up to the senior set-up. This all makes very logical sense.

Perhaps the fact that an appointment hasn’t already been made, given Stephen Kenny departed in November of last year, is reflective of where the Irish team is at right now. This is not a job top managers are jumping at, clearly. It’s a reality check of sorts.

The probability is that qualification for the 2026 World Cup is a long shot, at the very best. It won’t be easy to turn the fortunes of the team around, and the reported salary of around €560,000 falls well below what a manager can expect to earn at a decent Championship club, not to mind in the Premier League.

Given all of that, it’s maybe not a surprise that many of those mentioned as potential options for the FAI are managers currently out of work, as opposed to those who are currently in employment and would need to be tempted away.

Neil Lennon hasn’t featured on the touchline since a short-lived stint at Omonia Nicosia in Cyprus, where he lasted just over six months. Chris Hughton is out of a job in Ghana, where his side failed to make an impression in the Africa Cup of Nations. Roy Keane signalled his apparent interest on the ‘Stick to Football’ podcast, but hasn’t been in a managerial role since 2011 (though he has done plenty of coaching since as an assistant).

Steve Bruce and Sam Allardyce were linked in the very early stages, while Gus Poyet floated himself a couple of months ago before ruling out the possibility last week. He was thought to have been on thin ice in the Greek job but he’s set to stay put, for now.

So, maybe the Irish team isn’t as attractive a prospect as it once was. But that doesn’t mean it doesn’t matter, nor does it mean that the FAI must rush to appoint someone. This is not a decision to take lightly and even if the waters have become a little muddy in recent weeks, it’s important those involved keep a calm head and focus on their ideal candidate.

Carsley – who enjoyed a steady if unspectacular playing career - has amassed considerable experience on the coaching circuit in environments laced with quality. It’s not unreasonable to say that, with the England under-21s, he’s working with a collection of the best young players in the world, while he has also worked under Pep Guardiola in the Manchester City system.

If he’s the FAI’s preferred choice, as we’re all led to believe, then it’s only right and proper that they bide their time and do what’s necessary to get him on board. Why the need for such a quick appointment?

Sure, the Nations League draw takes place this week and it might look good for a new manager to be there as the latest era dawns, but you’d much rather the right man is on the touchline in March for the pair of friendlies against Switzerland and Belgium. Ultimately, what matters is the Nations League campaign itself, which begins in the autumn.

If Carsley feels he’s being undervalued with the salary that is being bandied about, should the FAI shove the boat out a little further? Yes is the answer. He’s 50 years of age, so Carsley is fresh and eager. He’s someone with plenty of potential and, of course, there is the danger of him being tempted away if he does a good job with Ireland and a big club job becomes a possibility. But wouldn’t that be a good complaint?

Many criticised the aftermath of last week’s FAI board meeting, when members were tight-lipped on the briefing they received around the process at Abbottstown.

“There’s no timeline at the moment,” said Paul Cooke, the newly installed FAI President.

“We will have a manager as soon as we identify the appropriate candidate, and they accept that role.” 

It’ll be eight years this summer since Ireland reached a major championships.

What’s another couple of weeks of waiting for the man the FAI feel could potentially steer the ship back there?