Budget a factor in Carsley impasse

IMPASSE: Negotiations with England’s U21 boss are believed to have struck an impasse over the staff budget on offer, not necessarily his salary but the allowance available to enlist his preferred coaching staff. Pic: Lewis Storey/Getty Images

The FAI are in danger of losing their No 1 managerial target Lee Carsley for just €250,000 per year.

Negotiations with England’s U21 boss are believed to have struck an impasse over the staff budget on offer, not necessarily his salary but the allowance available to enlist his preferred coaching staff.

Both ex-teammate Shay Given and his former Ireland manager Brian Kerr have this week claimed Carsley won’t be filling the vacancy available since Stephen Kenny was released on November 22.

While it’s understood the 40-times capped Ireland midfielder has expressed a desire to lead Ireland into the Nations League and next year’s World Cup qualifiers, two red line items were essential.

Firstly was the timing, with the four month gap between international windows ideal but proving more difficult to navigate are the terms.

Finance is not thought to be a driving motivation on the 49-year-old’s agenda but he’s currently in well-paid secure employment after leading England to their first Euro U21 crown for 39 years last July.

The former Everton and Birmingham City midfielder has also spurned offers from Championship clubs, such as Stoke City, who dangle annual salaries smashing the €1m mark.

Speaking last week at the Nations draw in Paris that pitted Ireland against England, Finland and Greece from September, FAI chief executive Jonathan Hill denied money was an obstacle.

“We talk to the board in relation to the financial parameters that ideally we have been looking at,” he outlined.

“I think it is reasonable public knowledge as to how much we paid our previous manager and look, as everyone knows we have a tight budget for 2024 and beyond, but that wasn't going to be the defining criteria in relation to the search.

“We have been open in relation to that, so that hasn't been an issue with any of the people we have spoken to up to now.” 

Kenny was understood to have been paid €560,000 per annum on his second contract with another €200,000 assigned for his two assistants and goalkeeping tutor.

In Carsley’s case, a 25% increase has been broached to cover he and his equivalent sidekicks but there appears little appetite from Abbotstown to accede. Bonuses for reaching major tournaments have also been discussed.

Director of Football Marc Canham added in Paris last week that the process for sourcing a successor was near the end but Monday morning’s board meeting came and went without any update to directors on the search.

As it stands, Carsley will remain in charge of England for their U21 Euro qualifiers against Azerbaijan and Luxembourg on March 22 and 26, the same week Ireland welcome Switzerland and Belgium to Lansdowne Road for a double-header friendly.

Canham also didn’t rule out a caretaker arrangement being in place for those first matches of 2024.

Comparatively, the FAI lag well behind their neighbours. Michael O’Neill is on at least the £750,000 he was paid on his first on his first Northern Ireland stint before the lure of doubling his wages enticed him to Stoke City. Rob Page’s latest contract as Wales boss is around £1.2m while Scotland chiefs rewarded Steve Clarke’s feat of Euro 2024 qualification by affording him a handsome lift on his original basic of £500,000.