Poyet declares interest in Ireland job

Greece manager Gus Poyet during the UEFA EURO 2024 Championship qualifying group B match between Republic of Ireland and Greece at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Fresh from filleting Ireland’s Euro hopes, Gus Poyet has pitched himself into the conversation to succeed Ireland manager Stephen Kenny.

The former Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur attacker has relaunched his managerial career on his first international assignment, defying their fourth seeding in Group B to be jockeying for Netherlands for the second ticket to Germany next year alongside a French side already there by winning all six of their pool matches.

As a fallback, they are guaranteed a playoff next March by topping their Nations League C late last year.

The Uruguayan had first managed in England with Brighton and Hove Albion and Sunderland.

His role in resurrecting a Greek side without a tournament qualification since the 2014 World Cup has drawn admirers and the FAI may consider pouncing after they bring Kenny’s three-and-a-half year tenure to an end after the November 22 friendly against New Zealand – at the latest.

The 55-year-old is definitely open to the upcoming vacancy. He’s had Ireland’s number over this campaign and sees potential in the squad to leave behind a dark period that’s slumped the team towards the sixties of FIFA’s rankings. 

His contract with the Greece FA is due to lapse over the next year.

“It is a big plus for us to have this situation now and be able to beat Ireland twice because, I tell you, with the support in here, I would like to be in charge of the team here,” said Poyet, who would likely retain his former Sunderland player John O’Shea on his staff.

“I would love that - absolutely love that.

“I think it is a terrific place to come and play football.

“When we first came into Aviva stadium on Thursday, the reaction of the players was ‘wow’.

“I was even surprised coming from the hotel, watching the people. I pay attention a lot.

“How many people have got the tracksuit? The black one. How many people have the green.

“Listen, in Uruguay we are patriots, but I don’t think many people buy the national team tracksuit. I don’t remember, maybe I am wrong. The shirt? Yes. But I don’t think many people buy the tracksuit.

“They are there with the tracksuit. That is proper, proper support.” 

Poyet’s colourful character would certainly enliven the atmosphere around a squad devoid of morale but other contenders are in the frame.

Marc Canham, the FAI’s Director of Football, and chief executive Jonathan Hill, will drive the search. With only friendlies scheduled until the Nations League B campaign kicks off next September, urgency isn’t an issue and they’ll likely interview a clutch of candidates.

England’s Euro U21 winning manager Lee Carsley heads the queue of favourites but the achievements of fellow former internationals Mark Kennedy and Damien Duff under budget constraints at Lincoln City and Shelbourne haver gained notice in Abbotstown.