Coleman was Wales manager between 2012 and 2017.
Chris Coleman is in contention to become the new Republic of Ireland manager, according to reports.
Coleman is now the favourite to take up the vacant role after the Football Association of Ireland missed out on their top choice for the position, Lee Carsley.
England Under-21 manager Carsley has been the FAI’s first-choice since Stephen Kenny’s contract expired after Ireland failed to qualify for Euro 2024.
Carsley, however, appears unlikely to take the role, leaving it potentially open for Coleman.
Coleman is the favourite to become the new Ireland manager.
According to The Independent, Coleman is a ‘strong candidate’ to become the new Ireland boss.
Coleman, whose father Paddy was from Dublin, has been out of work since leaving Greek side Atromitos in October 2023.
The 53-year-old had a successful stint as manager of his native Wales between 2012 and 2017.
Coleman helped the nation reach the semi-finals of Euro 2016 and record their highest-ever FIFA ranking of 8th in October 2015.
Ireland finished ahead of Wales in qualifying for the 2018 World Cup, and Coleman left his position soon after.
He was briefly Sunderland’s manager but was sacked before the club were relegated from the Championship in 2018.
Coleman was then Hebei China Fortune manager before getting sacked in May 2019.
The former Crystal Palace defender previously managed Fulham in the Premier League before stints with Real Sociedad, Coventry City and Greek side AEL.
Coleman has had a mixed record in management, and his link with the Ireland job has not been met with enthusiasm amongst many supporters on social media.
Chris Coleman’s last three jobs:
Atromitos Athens – 61 matches played, 1.13 points per match average
Hebei – 29 matches played, 1 point per match average
Sunderland – 29 matches played , 0.79 points per game average
Absolutely awful option to be the next Ireland manager.
— Rep of Ireland Player Tracker (@reptracker) February 18, 2024
Coleman’s son defended his father’s record in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
Atromitos he took over a team 8 points adrift. Kept them up that season, sold all assets. Spent zero money came 8th, then after that. Resigned when they cut the budget. Hebei, have them the best finish in history 6th. Season after budget chopped in half
— Sonny Coleman (@SonnyJPColeman) February 18, 2024
Elsewhere, Neil Lennon has said that the appointment of the next Ireland manager is ‘imminent.’
Lennon was in contention for the vacant position. However, has reportedly been told that he would not be given the role.
Ireland’s next matches are friendlies against Belgium and Switzerland in March.
Related links:
- Roy Keane as Ireland manager could work as long as one condition is met
- The possibility of Roy Keane getting the Ireland job has taken another twist
- Lee Carsley turns down Republic of Ireland job to pursue England dream
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