FAI set to secure new men's team sponsor but Lee Carsley uncertainty remains

FAI Chief Executive Jonathan Hill in attendance during the 2024 Men's President's Cup match between Shamrock Rovers and St Patrick's Athletic at Tallaght Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

The FAI are planning a series of upbeat announcements, including a new sponsor, but the successful pursuit of Lee Carsley is less certain.

Jonathan Hill is due to face a second grilling by government representatives, this time the powerful Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on February 22, but the chief executive has some positive tidings for consumption in the run-up.

It’s understood the near four-year wait for a men’s team sponsor is finally over – with global payments firm Revolut in prime position to land the portfolio.

Last Thursday’s glamour draw for the only non-friendly fixtures this year – the Nations League group that includes the first competitive meetings with England for 33 years – spiked the attraction but the groundwork for this deal was already in train.

Hill has come under fire for the delay in securing a brand partnership, given the selling pitch for his appointment as John Delaney’s successor was a track record in commercial windfalls, particularly during his spell at the English FA.

His acceptance of payment for untaken holidays, contrary to the staff handbook and without the knowledge of board members bar former Chairman Roy Barrett, has also brought him under scrutiny.

PAC member Alan Dillon branded his explanation at Hill’s last to Leinster House in December as a "cock-and-bull story", insisting email trails must be furnished for the sequel to corroborate the supremo’s version of events.

During the interim, before Hill and others are in the public glare, the FAI have undertaken an internal probe on the matter which also includes a Benefit in Kind tax liability that was subsequently settled arising from an audit by accounting firm KOSI at the instruction of Sport Ireland.

It’s believed the outcome of this investigation will be shared with directors at a board meeting on Monday and is to shape the approach taken at the Oireachtas session.

Hill was in bullish form at Saturday’s EGM, informing delegates that the sponsorship announcement was imminent. Not so likely, however, is the swift presentation of a new men’s team manager.

Though Chairman Tony Keohane a fortnight ago on Tuesday predicted finality for filling the vacancy, no unveiling is planned this coming week.

That update was provided by Hill in response to a concern raised during Saturday’s gathering by the PFAI about this hot topic overshadowing the run-up to the men’s League of Ireland season kicking off on Friday.

England’s U21 boss Carsley has been the clear favourite for the hotseat, even before Stephen Kenny’s reign was ended in November, but genuine fears exist about the former Ireland midfielder’s final decision.

The headhunting team of Hill, Director of Football Canham and board member Packie Bonner have kept in touch with their target throughout, discussing in detail the prospective set-up including backroom staff, budgets and schedules. A four-year contract was under discussion without being formally tabled.

Simultaneously, Carsley and his assistants Ashley Cole and Joleon Lescott have been assiduously preparing for next month’s double-header of Euro qualifiers, starting with an arduous trip to Azerbaijan on March 22.

Ireland also kick off their year’s itinerary that week, with two home friendlies against Belgium and Switzerland but the English FA expect their management team to be intact.

Another milestone for the association to trumpet is their Football Pathways Plan (FPP) albeit the chances of the media launch on Tuesday week delivering the first version unchanged remote.

Canham’s proposal to shift the standard season into a calendar version - thereby deviating from mirroring the school year - received a frosty response at the EGM.

Conor Hoey was one of the few speakers at Dublin Airport’s Clayton Hotel to speak in favour and the Drogheda United rep's assertion that the alignment suited the League of Ireland fraternity was loudly jeered and laughed at a section of the 103 voting delegates present.

Both the Munster and Leinster football associations - custodians of the adult and youth amateur sections - outlined their concerns while the silence of the schoolboy/girl association doesn’t bode well for its chance of implementation.

Canham will spend this week on a nationwide roadshow in Dublin, Cork, Galway and Donegal receiving direct feedback from volunteers during what he terms a consultative phase.

It remains to be seen whether they also have a managerial unfurling to help distract from the spotlight shining on the PAC showdown.