The Republic of Ireland continue to search for a new manager a few months after Stephen Kenny left his role last November.
His three-year tenure ended following a thoroughly embarrassing 2024 European Championship qualifying campaign.
It was a tall order for the Boys in Green as they were grouped with European heavyweights France and Netherlands. Greece and Gibraltar completed the line-up.
Ireland finished fourth in the group, falling a long way short of qualification for Euro 2024. The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) had no choice but to ditch Kenny.
There are a few exciting options on their shortlist, including England Under-21 manager Lee Carsley.
Carsley is a popular choice after leading the Young Lions to victory at the UEFA European Under-21 Championship, but the FAI have been unable to convince him to switch sides.
Neil Lennon and Gus Poyet are also in contention for the role, but whoever gets the job must look to the English Championship for talents to call up.
Unearthing Gems in the Championship
One player who is more than deserving of a run in the Ireland national team is Blackburn Rovers talisman Sammie Szmodics.
The Colchester-born attacking midfielder has been a shining light in the Championship this season, causing havoc for defences across the division.
Szmodics has earned a few international call-ups but has not made his full debut for Ireland, and whoever the FAI brings in should make him a mainstay in the team.
The 28-year-old can help ease the goalscoring burden on Evan Ferguson’s shoulders and the new manager will need to work out a system that suits them both.
Another young Irish talent shining in the Championship is Southampton goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu. He has been getting more playing time at club level than Liverpool back-up Caoimhin Kelleher and should be getting the nod in the starting XI.
Bazunu is a sprightly goalkeeper with good reflexes who will continue to improve and could be the long-term custodian of the number one jersey.
Southampton teammate Will Smallbone should also be a mainstay for Ireland in the next few years. The 23-year-old has been impressing as Saints chase promotion to the Premier League.
Smallbone has already earned five caps for Ireland since his debut in March last year and will hope to keep getting calls from the new manager.
Andrew Moran is another Irish star who deserves more game time with the Irish national team. The Brighton loanee has been tearing it up in the Championship with Blackburn.
The 20-year-old has been a creative spark for Rovers, displaying his versatility by playing in a variety of different positions.
Moran has made one appearance for Ireland, but should be a candidate for more call-ups. He could be a creative beacon for the national team, providing chances for Szmodics and Ferguson.
Bristol City’s Jason Knight could also feature under the new manager. He has already made 26 appearances for the Boys in Green and will be eyeing more caps under the new boss.
2026 World Cup: A Daunting Yet Achievable Dream
Whoever steps in to fill Kenny’s boots will immediately have their sights set on qualifying for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
The new manager undoubtedly faces a daunting task to transform the squad into a unit ready to challenge other European teams for a spot at the tournament.
Online bookmakers do not fancy their chances, rating Ireland as one of the outsiders to lift the prestigious trophy in 2026.
Several betting sites rate them as 1000/1 shots to be crowned world champions, highlighting the size of the task facing the new Ireland boss.
However, while no one realistically thinks they will achieve the feat, Ireland should have the ability to at least reach the knockout stage of the tournament.
If Ireland are to upset the odds, building their team around hungry Championship stars would help them overcome the hurdles ahead as they eye qualification.
They have an enormous mountain to climb but must take things one step at a time. Appointing a manager worthy of the name would be a good place to start.
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