“I never got the impression he always wanted the Ireland job” – Jason McAteer

The former Republic of Ireland international has claimed Lee Carsley is not interested in becoming Irish manager. 

Since the sacking of Stephen Kenny last November, there has been one name that has been heavily linked to be his replacement, former Republic of Ireland midfielder Lee Carsley. 

According to multiple reports, he is the FAI’s top target and the association have been actively pursuing the 49-year-old to try persuade him to leave his current role as England U-21 manager. 

While it is still unsure what Carsley’s intentions are, and if he even wants the job at this stage of his coaching career, according to the Irish Independent on Wednesday, the FAI remain confident they can secure their main target. 

However, his former international teammate McAteer has weighed in on the matter and the FAI will not like what they would have heard. 

Speaking to Bein Sport, McAteer does not believe Carsley wants the job at this present time. 

"His stock's very high at the minute. 

"I played with him at Ireland and I'm very close to him. I do speak to him about things. I never got the impression that he always wanted the Ireland job. I don't think it was ever on his radar, certainly not in the immediate future.

"He's done a fantastic job with the (England) U21s, come through a system and won the European Championships.

"I think his ambition is to go more into club management and maybe Ireland would be a future job. 

“I know the FAI are desperate to get him in. I think it's a completely different direction and better direction than what they would go with Stephen Kenny."

Other names linked with the job are Neil Lennon and Roy Keane, who declared interest in the role last week.

In other news, Troy Parrott was on the scoresheet again in the Eredivisie.

The Irish Winners and Losers of the January Transfer Window https://t.co/lifLAjjkQypic.twitter.com/XaI6yklq0a

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