O'Shea & Sagnol Joint Favourites To Succeed Kenny As Next Ireland Manager

On November 22, the Republic of Ireland sacked manager Stephen Kenny after failing to qualify for Euro 2024 in Germany.

Over six months later, the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) are no closer to naming Kenny's replacement. 

An announcement was expected in April, but it's now June and betting sites continue to update their odds on who the FAI might opt for. 

John O'Shea, an Irish centurion, and French Champions League winner Willy Sagnol head up the betting market to replace Kenny.

Why Is It Taking So Long?

‘Existing contractual obligations’ were stated as the reasons for the delay in appointing a new manager.  

FAI Director of Football Marc Canham, as part of an in-house interview with FAI TV earlier this year, revealed that the search for a permanent boss remained ongoing.

The interview was widely criticised after Canham revealed that the new boss might not be in place until their UEFA Nations League clash with England in September.

Considering Kenny departed the post all of six months ago (and the writing had been on the wall for the Dubliner for quite some time before that), it is a source of great frustration amongst many groups across Irish football that this position remains vacant.

The general absence of leaks from the FAI has meant that speculation is rife when it comes to the Republic of Ireland job and until such time that a replacement for Kenny is found, this is what betting apps will continue to do.

O'Shea took charge of Ireland's 2-1 win over Hungary at the Aviva Stadium on Tuesday night and will remain in the dugout for the friendly against Portugal on Tuesday, June 11.

O’Shea's Hopes Boosted After Hungary Win

O'Shea was in charge of picking the Ireland team for their two games in March against Belgium and Switzerland, and he has his sights set on making the role permanent. 

Ireland failed to score in either game as the Irish drew 0-0 with Belgium and lost 1-0 to the Swiss, but the FAI were relatively happy with the work done by O’Shea.

O’Shea agreed to stay on as interim boss in April, and his chances of staying on as manager improved after he guided the Irish to a 2-1 win over Hungary. 

The former Manchester United defender, who won 118 caps for Ireland, is the 2/1 joint-favourite.

Sagnol Still In The Hunt As Joint Favourite

For the last couple of months, Willy Sagnol has been neck and neck with O'Shea for the top job in Irish football.

It seems Sagnol has been high on Ireland's list for quite some time, but no deal has been agreed.

The Frenchman successfully guided Georgia to this summer's European Championship in Germany, which will delay any possible announcement from the FAI.

Georgia, who will face Portugal, Turkey and the Czech Republic in Group F, are ranked outsiders to be crowned champions of Europe on July 14.

Sagnol is listed at 2/1 with BetVictor to be the next Republic of Ireland manager.

Hughton Also Featuring In The Running

There is talk that the FAI are interested in a manager that has a good deal of experience as both a club and international boss. One person who certainly fits this bill is ex-Republic of Ireland full-back Chris Hughton.

Formerly an assistant to Brian Kerr with the Irish from 2003 to 2005, Hughton has had spells in the club game with Newcastle United, Birmingham City, Norwich City, Brighton & Hove Albion and Nottingham Forest. 

Having acted as an adviser with Ghana at the 2022 World Cup finals in Qatar, Hughton more recently managed the country of his father at the Africa Cup of Nations.

While he hasn’t set the world on fire in his last couple of roles, Hughton did gain promotion to the Premier League at Newcastle and Brighton in the past. 

He may not necessarily fit the FAI’s criteria when it comes to style of play or methods of management, but he currently stands out as third favourite for the job at 6/1.

Anthony Hudson Now A Candidate

Anthony Hudson might not have any links to the Republic of Ireland, but supporters won't be bothered about that, if he can turn the country's football fortunes around.

Hudson, who is the son of England international Alan Hudson, was on West Ham's books before turning his attention to being a coach.

The Ireland job would be the biggest job of his coaching career, which includes spells in the United States, Bahrain and New Zealand. He was Newport County's manager in 2011, but was sacked after a handful of matches in charge. 

Hudson is the 6/1 fourth favourite to be named the next Republic of Ireland manager. 

Bruce Remains In The Reckoning

Like Hughton, Steve Bruce is another with promotion to the English top flight on his CV - achieving this feat twice with both Birmingham City and Hull City. 

Again, his more recent managerial stints have been less profitable, though the Newcastle United team he managed from 2019 to 2021 is vastly different to the one Eddie Howe currently presides over.

He does have a connection to the country as his mother hails from Bangor which meant he would have been eligible to represent the Republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland. 

This is something his son Alex eventually did himself - lining out for the former in two friendlies, before doing the exact same with the latter. 

Out of work since leaving English Championship outfit West Bromwich Albion in October 2022, Bruce is currently 12/1 with football betting sites for the Irish job.

Carsley Keeping His Options Open

Although he shot down the prospect that he was going to leave his post with the England U21s, Lee Carsley remains in the betting for the Republic of Ireland vacancy. 

Carsley is rated at 10/1 for the role, and given how long the position is now expected to be vacant for, you couldn’t rule out the possibility that Carsley might return to the FAI system again before too long.

The former Everton midfielder has enhanced his reputation with England's U21s, who won last summer's European Championship, which was the team's first title in 40 years.

Carsley, who won 40 caps for Ireland, might not be in a rush to take the job just yet.

Several Others Mentioned For The Role

Outside of the above mentioned candidates, there are many names that are constantly linked with the job and remain somewhere in the betting for the post.

Former Republic of Ireland coach Anthony Barry (10/1), Gus Poyet (16/1) and ex-captain and TV pundit Roy Keane (20/1) are all candidates with new betting sites.