Republic of Ireland have opened up the search for a new manager for the first time in five years following the departure of Martin O’Neill.
A familiar face in former Ireland boss Mick McCarthy was instantly propelled to the top of the next Republic of Ireland manager market, with Dundalk boss Stephen Kenny in hot pursuit.
Sack Race favourites Sam Allardyce and Steve Bruce are lurking about in the betting, while a certain Sven Goran Eriksson was abruptly backed into 6/1 in the hours proceeding O’Neill’s exit, although he’s now drifted somewhat to a distant 33/1 outsider.
However, there’s a new name in the frame in the top echelons of the betting in Carlos Queiroz who at 16/1 is currently the third favourite behind the leading duo of McCarthy and Kenny.
‘What on earth is Queiroz doing there?,’ you may be inclined to ask.
Here’s why.
The Independent’s Chief Football Writer, Miguel Delaney, reports that the former Real Madrid manager and current Iran boss has expressed an interest in the Ireland vacancy.
Queiroz, who was famously an assistant to Sir Alex Ferguson at Man Utd either side of the Los Blancos job, has already revealed that he will leave Iran in January after eight years at the helm.
The Portuguese coach has enjoyed immense success in the position, leading the country to both the 2014 and 2018 World Cups, holding European Champions Portugal to an impressive draw over in Russia last time out - at the time of writing he’s got a 59% win rate, and has only lost 12 of his 91 matches in charge.
If the reports are to be believed then the 65-year-old fancies a fresh challenge in the New Year after Iran’s participation in the Asian Games, and with a confidence-crushed Ireland in need of a huge rebuilding job, he could just be just the man to transform their fortunes.
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