Exclusive: Ireland keen on manager who Harry Redknapp called the new Jose Mourinho

23/04/2024 21:00

The Republic of Ireland’s search for a new head coach is continuing and TBR Football understands they are narrowing down their shortlist.

Stephen Kenny was sacked in November 2023 having overseen a hugely disappointing Euro 2024 qualifying campaign as they finished fourth in the group behind France, the Netherlands and Greece – indeed their only two wins came against lowly Gibraltar.

Despite having parted company with Kenny before Christmas, the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) have been taking their time – although they have also been rebuffed with some options as England Under-21 boss Lee Carsley and Damien Duff, currently in charge of Shelbourne, ruled themselves out of contention early in the process.

The FAI were forced to draft in former Manchester United defender John O’Shea to be their interim boss for their recent friendlies with Belgium and Switzerland, but he is not in contention to take the job on a permanent basis. O’Shea, though, could remain in charge of Ireland’s next games against Hungary and Portugal in June.

Irish interview former US and NZ coach Anthony Hudson

TBR understands that one coach that is very much in contention is former United States boss Anthony Hudson.

Hudson began his coaching career at Tottenham under Harry Redknapp – who actually called him the ‘new Mourinho‘.

The 43-year-old left left Qatari club Al-Markiyah earlier this year by mutual consent. Having originally been their head coach he became their technical director – but now he is ready to move on.

TBR can reveal that Hudson has now been interviewed by the IFA – who have been impressed with his international experience. He has taken charge of Bahrain and New Zealand before being assistant to Gregg Berhalter at the World Cup finals in Qatar in 2022.

He took charge of the US when Berhalter initially left, and made some major contributions to the American squad including persuading Folarin Balogun to commit his international career to the US. He also made Christian Pulisic his captain during his tenure and persuaded Gio Reyna to return to the fold.

Now Hudson is ready to move back into management and he is contention to take charge of Ireland – who are also understood to have spoken to former international Chris Hughton, who most recently was in charge of Ghana – but was sacked after a dismal African Cup of Nations campaign.

Ireland’s director of football Marc Canham confirmed earlier this month that their new boss would be in place by September – when they begin their Nations League campaign at home to England in Dublin.

"Realistically we are looking towards the UEFA Nations League with our first game against England in September, that's what we are aiming to do," said Canham via a statement released on the FAI’s X account.

"We recognise the timelines and deadlines we've previously set created a sense of expectation and potentially confusion for everyone. In hindsight, we would maybe not set those deadlines if we were to do this again. We recognise and apologise for that but we are also confident that ultimately this process will result in us finding the best person for the job

"We understand we had a massive responsibility to appoint the right person. That's why we are taking our time and not rushing into making an appointment. We want to make sure we get that person in place but we do recognise the frustration people will have around that."

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