Former Ireland footballer Lee Carsley has been linked with the England job, but people believe he could replace Stephen Kenny
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Former Ireland footballer Lee Carsley has been linked with the England job, but people believe he could replace Stephen Kenny

 

FORMER IRELAND AND EVERTON MIDFIELDER Lee Carsley could replace Stephen Kenny as the manager of the Republic of Ireland post Euro 2024, confirms The Telegraph today. 

In recent times Ireland under Kenny have had an up and down time during his tenure.  A strong finish to the end of the World Cup qualifying campaign was followed by another poor Nations League campaign. This has left many Ireland fans frustated with the lack of progress.

Because of Ireland's poor showing in the Nations League, it meant that the Republic were drawn in a tough Euro 2024 group with the likes of The Netherlands and France next year.

Stephen Kenny is expected to continue his reign as Ireland manager until the end of the qualifying process.

DUBLIN - JUNE 11: Zurab Khizanishvili of Georgia holds off Lee Carsley

Kenny's future no matter the outcome next is sure to become another debate around Irish football circles, with people asking him to stay or leave the Ireland role.

One man who has been touted as his replacement is the former Ireland midfielder Lee Carsley.

Carsley, who played 40 times for the Republic was born in Birmingham, but qualified to play for Ireland through his grandmother who came from  Dunmanway, County Cork.

The former Everton man is currently employed by the English FA as the England U21 manager.

Southgate is currently mulling over his future after his England side were knocked out of the World Cup last Saturday by France.

A list of names have been linked to the role already, which include the likes of Brendan Rodgers, Eddie Howe, Thomas Tuchel and Carsley himself.

There had been suggestions that Carsley could get a promotion to the senior side just like England's senior boss Gareth Southgate did in 2016. However, according to football journalist Sam Wallace, who writes for the Telegraph and explained that Carsley could be a long term successor to Kenny as head coach of Ireland.

Writing in his column for The Telegraph this week, Wallace explains by saying " The FA appointed Lee Carsley last year, a capable coach who had a number of previous FA roles, but critically, he played for the Republic of Ireland.

He was Birmingham-born but earned 40 caps for the Irish national team. He is not a potential successor to Southgate. Indeed the suggestion is that he is very much likely to be the long-term successor for the Football Association of Ireland if it does not push on with Stephen Kenny beyond Euro 2024 – or perhaps even before then. In that respect the English FA has done its development work for the FAI."

It would be an interesting move from the FAI, if they did poach one of England's best underage coaches after Euro 2024.

We will wait and see how it develops.