Over the weekend, reports emerged from Greek media indicating that Gus Poyet, the bookies' favourite for the Ireland job, declined the offer after being presented with a five-year deal from the FAI.
The FAI has been in search of a replacement for former boss Stephen Kenny since November, with various candidates entering and exiting the picture.
Names such as Lee Carsley, who is now out of contention; Roy Keane, with whom discussions were held on three occasions; Neil Lennon, not under consideration; and others have all been associated with the position.
Poyet, who spoke highly of the Ireland job during their previous encounter last year, was initially considered the frontrunner. However, according to reports in Greece, this is no longer the case.
The Greek publication Sport24 states that the FAI aimed to secure Poyet as the coach for the next five years, with the primary objective being to qualify for the Euro 2028 finals, which Ireland will co-host with the other British nations. Nevertheless, the former Chelsea player rejected the five-year contract offered by Ireland's football governing body.
🇮🇪| According to reports in Greece, Gus Poyet has REJECTED the offer to become Ireland manager
God knows who our next boss will be pic.twitter.com/2wj9rX7loN
— IrishPropaganda🇮🇪⚽️ (@IrishPropaganda) March 30, 2024
"The Irish FA wanted Poyet as their coach for the next five years, with the main goal of qualifying for the finals of Euro 2028, which they will co-host with the rest of the British nations. The Irish gave Poyet two days to respond, either positively or negatively, with the Uruguayan technician ultimately not accepting the contract that was offered to him," said the publication.
"Ireland have shown in practice that Puget was their main target; however, the experienced international is clearly keen to wait out developments at the EPO as his desire is to remain on the Greece bench."
The outlet also mentions that the Greeks plan to discuss the continuation of Poyet as Greece's coach heading into a new qualification campaign, despite their failure to make it to Euro 2024. Greece lost on penalties to Georgia last week.
"It is recalled that Poyet's contract ends on March 31 and that the president of the EPO, Takis Baltakos, has noted that there will be immediate developments next week regarding the matter of the coach in blue and white, as there will be a meeting of the Executive Committee on it."
The FAI has not confirmed if the news is true yet. Nevertheless, time is ticking for the FAI, as they previously stated their intention to appoint a new boss by early April.
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