Next Ireland manager betting: Latest odds on who could replace Stephen Kenny

*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change

A 1-1 draw with lowly New Zealand on Tuesday night proved to be the last act of Stephen Kenny’s managerial reign over the Irish national team after just two victories (against Gibraltar) in Ireland’s Euro 24 campaign.

Kenny had over three years at the helm and support for the former Ireland U-21 and Dundalk manger waned after a series of poor results and performances.

And it’s now been confirmed his contract won’t renewed by the FAI – meaning the hunt is on for a replacement as focus switches to qualifiying for the 2026 World Cup and the next installment of the ever-thrilling Nations League.

Who’ll be in charge for any or all of these? A few of these names are among the favourites to be Next Republic of Ireland manager.

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Lee Carsley

Former Premier League baldy midfield hardman turned England Under 21s manager Lee Carsley features highly on Paddy’s traders’ list at the time of writing. Carsley led the England U21s to their first European Championship win since 1984, beating Spain in the final. The FAI might be tempted to turn to the 49-year-old to nurture some of their emerging talent on the big stage.

Neil Lennon

The former Celtic boss is probably the name on this list with the biggest heft if we’re talking silverware. He won the lot in Scotland and despite leading Greek side Omonia to the Cypriot Cup in 2022 and good showings in the following Europa League campaign, he was let go in October 2022 and is still looking for work. Recently expressed his desire that he would love ‘to have a crack’ at the Ireland job.

Roy Keane

Now, this would be box office. Roy Keane worked with Martin O’Neill in the Irish set up and has been the top dog at Sunderland and Ipswich to varying degrees of success. He led Sunderland to Premier League promotion in 2006/07 before leaving the club the following season on typically less-than cordial terms as the Mackems’ form nose-dived. More used to being a No. 2 or a pundit these days, would he be tempted to return if asked?

Steve Bruce

Cuddly former goal-scoring centre back turned journeyman manager Steve Bruce is currently in the wilderness following a brief spell at West Brom which came shortly after bowing out at Newcastle in 2021. However,  while a club career might be at an end for the 62-year-old he could bring a wealth of experience to the international stage.

Sam Allardyce

One for the purists. After sealing back-to-back relegations in his last two Premier League jobs Big Sam Allardyce might fancy another crack at international football management and comes with a beaming 100% record from his time in charge of England. How did that end? Don’t worry about that. Just look at that 100 per cent winning record, eh?

Chris Hughton

Chris Hughton’s name features prominently at the time of writing and it would be something of a return to the old days for Ireland with the former Nottingham Forest and Brighton boss preferring to put defence first and keep things tight. He would come in at a pretty low ebb following a dire spell at Forest where he got the boot at the start of the 2021/22 season.

In February of this year, Hughton was appointed Head Coach of the Ghanaian national team, and has won two of his four games in charge there, seeing them qualify for the African Cup of Nations in February, but the team have hit the skids since winning just four of nine games in friendlies an qualifiers, including a shock 1-0 loss to Comoros in a WC qualifier in November 2023. A former Ireland international, he was part of Brian Kerr’s back-room team during his reign in charge of the Irish national side and might just be tempted to take the job – if offered it.

Anthony Barry

Liverpudlian Anthony Barry was part of the Ireland coaching set up from 2021-22 under Stephen Kenny. He’s currently fulfilling two pretty high-profile jobs in an assistant role, one with Thomas Tuchel at Bayern Munich and another with Roberto Martinez with the Portugal national side.

On leaving the Belgian team, Martinez took Barry with him to Portugal. During his time with Ireland he was also involved with Chelsea so he has plenty of experience coaching. Would the FAI take a risk and go for a good coach with no managerial experience? They’ve done it before.

John Eustace

Former Stoke and Watford midfielder John Eustace has just been let go by Birmingham City to be replaced by Wayne Rooney. He kept Birmingham up last season and had started the campaign impressively, winning five, drawing three and losing just three in the Championship. While the football wasn’t always pleasing on the eye he was certainly making progress and Blues fans were sad to see him go.

Damien Duff

The former Irish international seems to be following in Stephen Kenny’s footsteps and is plying his trade in the League of Ireland with Shelbourne after a spell coaching the national team’s youth ranks. He guided the Reds back into the Premier Division where they currently sit in a healthy sixth position at the time of writing.

Known as a wily and tricky winger, we’ve yet to see this style in Shels who prefer to break quickly and keep pretty solid at the back. Might be just the thing this Ireland team need.

John O’Shea

While John O’Shea might be lacking in international managerial experience, or any managerial experience for that matter, perhaps a change in direction might do the trick? The former Ireland and Manchester United defender won the lot as a player at club level and would bring a wealth of recent-playing knowledge to the set up. He’s currently working as part of Stephen Kenny’s backroom team and with Wayne Rooney who has just been appointed manager (after John Eustace) at Birmingham FC.

Keith Andrews

Another former Ireland international who is currently Kenny’s assistant in the national team hot seat. The continuity candidate but does Ireland now need ‘continuity’ or a fresh start?

Rafa Benitez

This one would surely made the Liverpool-supporting Irish fans jump for joy. The rest of us might grumble a bit though as the former Reds’ boss is having a torrid time at Celta Vigo despite having signed a three-year contract. One thing you can’t argue with however is his experience and record of landing silverware. Long-known for getting the best out of players he’d surely fit the bill for the job at hand.

He’d likely need an assistant who knows the set-up too so we could see a rekindling of the Benitez-Robbie Keane relationship or Damien Duff would fit too. Benitez’s style of football isn’t the prettiest at times but it is effective and his coaching would surely do the current squad the world of good.

*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change

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