Former New Zealand coach Anthony Hudson has once again emerged as a contender for the vacant Republic of Ireland managerial job.
The FAI has been searching for Stephen Kenny's replacement since November and has failed to find it.
Speaking in March, FAI Director Marc Canham said they planned to hire a manager in April but couldn't say anything because of contractual obligations. However, there has been no full-time hire since then, and as a result, John O'Shea has taken the role on an interim basis until they find a successor.
“The process of the appointment of the permanent new head coach is very close to the end, nearing the end point, and we look forward to announcing that new permanent head coach in early April,” said Canham in April. "Existing contractual obligations mean we are not in a position to announce any further details on this point, but as we have committed to, we will announce that in early April.”
Since then, O'Shea has been backed to take the job, but The Irish Times has claimed that Anthony Hudson, a man with a lot more experience and someone the FAI has already spoken to, is in contention to become the permanent successor to Stephen Kenny.
New Zealand's coach, Anthony Hudson, holds a press conference in Saint Petersburg on June 23, 2017, on the eve of the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup group A football match between New Zealand and Portugal. / AFP PHOTO / OLGA MALTSEVA (Photo credit should read OLGA MALTSEVA/AFP via Getty Images) )The Irish Times reports, "The 43-year-old was interviewed by the FAI earlier this year, and the association made contact with him again in recent weeks. He is not thought to be the preferred choice for Ireland as things stand, but with the situation fluid, he remains an option the FAI could turn to."
Hudson began his playing career in West Ham United's youth system before stints at Luton Town, NEC Nijmegen, and Wilmington Hammerheads. He then transitioned to coaching, where he had spells at the Real Maryland Monarchs, Newport County, and Bahrain's national team.
He later led the New Zealand national team, securing the 2016 OFC Nations Cup and participating in the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup. Hudson also served as an assistant coach for the US national team before a brief tenure with Qatar's Al-Markiyah SC. He was only there for three games and departed following an issue over team selection.
