FAI Director of Football Marc Canham has given a perhaps telling update in the search for the next Republic of Ireland manager, with the process finally set to draw to close in early April.
The FAI have come in for some heavy criticism for the process up to this point, one that has led to John O'Shea being appointed as interim head coach for the friendlies against Belgium and Switzerland this month. This is despite the fact that Stephen Kenny left the role in November.
A number of candidates have been linked with the job, with Lee Carsley rumoured to be the FAI's preferred choice. There have been doubts surrounding the England U21 manager's willingness to take the role.
However, an update provided this afternoon has given a hint as to who could be appointed over the coming weeks.
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FAI's Marc Canham drops hint on next Ireland manager
Speaking at the Aviva Stadium to unveil John O'Shea as the new Ireland interim manager, Marc Canham gave an update on the process to appoint a new permanent head coach.
He confirmed that the new manager would be confirmed in early April, confirming that a deal was close but the announcement could not be made before then due to 'contractual obligations'.
The process of the appointment of the new permanent head coach is very close to the end and nearing its end point. We look forward to announcing that new permanent head coach in early April.
Existing contractual obligations mean that we're won't be able to announce any further details at this point, but as we have committed to, we will announce that in early April...
As I've said before, the process has been ongoing for a period of time. I've been giving a series of updates on that quite recently actually.
We're really near the end of the process. That's obviously confidential, so I can't answer your question directly unfortunately.
But we are at a really advanced stage of the process. For different practical reasons, including contracts, we can't confirm that until early April.
This would definitely suggest that Canham's preferred candidate is currently in employment elsewhere.
It would seem that whoever the new Ireland manager will be has other obligations that run until the end of this month, which would coincide with the March international window.
Lee Carsley is set to lead the England U21s in two Euro qualifiers later this month. Make of that what you will.
The only other name linked with the role who is in a similar situation is Gus Poyet, whose Greece deal expires after this month's Euro 2024 play-offs. However, there has been no suggestion that he is the running for the job.
This is certainly an interesting update. All is set to be revealed in early April.
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