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20th Feb 2024

Chris Coleman no longer in the running to be the next Ireland manager

Robert Redmond

Coleman will not be the next Ireland manager.

Chris Coleman is no longer in the running to be the next Republic of Ireland manager, according to reports.

Coleman is understood to have spoken to the FAI about the vacant role and was briefly the favourite to be appointed as Stephen Kenny’s successor.

The former Wales manager, however, appears to have ruled himself out of contention.

Coleman no longer in contention to be Ireland manager.

According to BBC Wales, Coleman held talks with an FAI delegation but is no longer in contention for the role.

The 53-year-old had a successful reign as Wales manager between 2012 and 2017, when he helped guide them to the semi-finals of Euro 2016 and reach a record-high of 8th place in the FIFA world rankings.

Coleman also has an Irish connection through his late father Paddy, who was born in Dublin.

The Irish Independent, however, report that Coleman was ‘dissuaded by the size of the task’ as Ireland manager, with the team ranked 62nd in the FIFA world rankings and on a run of poor form from the previous era.

The former Fulham manager has been out of work since leaving Greek side Atromitos in October 2023.

Chris Coleman Ireland

Ireland’s search for a new manager.

Meanwhile, Ireland’s search for a new manager goes on.

England Under-21 manager Carsley had been the FAI’s first-choice since Kenny’s contract was not renewed after Ireland failed to qualify for Euro 2024.

Carsley, however, has reportedly rejected multiple approaches from the FAI.

Neil Lennon was in contention for the vacant position, before the former Celtic coach was told that his application was unsuccessful.

Other managers who have been linked with the vacant position include Gus Poyet, Damien Duff, Chris Hughton, and John O’Shea.

Lennon said last weekend that the appointment of the next Ireland manager is ‘imminent.’

The FAI, however, appear no closer to appointing a new coach than when they let Kenny go back in October.

Ireland’s next matches are friendlies against Belgium and Switzerland in March.

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