Jon Walters has told the FAI not to make any rash decisions, should the appointment of Lee Carsley as Ireland manager fail to materialise.
Current England under-21 boss Carsley has been the FAI's top target to replace Stephen Kenny as Ireland manager but it is increasingly starting to look like that ship has sailed.
Earlier this week, Shay Given poured cold water on the prospect of Carsley being appointed, and Walters has become the latest former Ireland international to speak out.
Walters was on Virgin Media for the broadcaster's Champions League coverage on Wednesday night, and he issued a stern warning to FAI director of football Marc Canham, the man tasked with identifying Ireland's new manager.
Jon Walters speaks out on Ireland appointment
"It's a blow if that's true on Lee Carsley, because I think he was more than likely the number one target for what Marc is trying to do in creating an identity through the teams and having a pathway through to the senior team," said Walters.
"It's a major appointment and I hope he hasn't put all his eggs in that one basket and that there are other options out there that he is going to go for."
Although friendlies against Belgium and Switzerland arrive as early as next month, and there's a tough Nations League group to follow, Walters would prefer that the FAI don't rush into anything, if Carsley has indeed rejected them.
"If it's come to the point that Lee Carsley is not going to happen, you don't want them to turn around and make a rash decision and something that they may regret in a year's time."@JonWalters19 believes the FAI shouldn't rush to appoint a manager even if Lee Carsley is out. pic.twitter.com/j4Fo4vJlho
— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) February 14, 2024
Jon Walters: "Don't make rash decisions"
"Whoever comes into the job is going to know the players," added the ex-Stoke man. "They're not players that are playing all over Europe, they're mainly playing in England, Premier League or Championship.
"You'd rather they [the FAI] take the time to get the right person than rush it but it's coming to the point that if the likes of Lee Carsley is not going to happen, you don't want to turn around and make rash decisions on something that they may regret in a year's time."
Many would have expected to have a new Ireland manager in the dugout ahead of that friendlies against Belgium at the Aviva on March 23rd, and against Switzerland three days later
Should they take the advice of Walters and hold their horses, you wouldn't bet against an interim being on the sideline for that particular double-header.
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