When the FAI headhunters reported to the board on Tuesday, Gus Poyet was surprised to see his name reappear in connection with the Republic of Ireland management.
Poyet’s contract as Greece coach ends after next month’s Euro 2024 play-offs, but the team is expected to qualify for the tournament by defeating Kazakhstan and the winner of Georgia vs. Luxembourg.
There was no approach from the FAI, even though the Uruguayan could lose his job even if Greece were to play in their first major tournament since the 2014 World Cup.
Mr Poyet answered whether he or his agent had spoken to FAI director of football Mark Canham and chief executive Jonathan Hill, who had been in England in recent days with board member Packie Bonner. Was. Successor to Stephen Kenny.
“At this time, I promise zero. No one. [contacted me]. I was surprised to see the news in a British newspaper. As you can imagine, it made the news in Greece, but nothing happened. ”
Greece were the only country to take a point from Didier Deschamps’ France in qualifying last year, drawing 2-2 in Athens and defeating Kenny’s Ireland home and away to finish third in Group B behind the Netherlands. became.
Poyet said he was shocked by the popularity of the Irish national team after their 2-0 win at the Aviva Stadium last October.
“The timing is really bad,” he explained at a promotional event for Castleberg 0.0 on Monday. “I had some offers in December, so I explained to everyone that it’s great when people want you to be their club or national team manager, but timing and respect are also important.
“I’ll tell you the truth. Regardless of the outcome of the playoffs, my contract expires on March 31st, so we’ll see. I’m completely focused on the playoffs. Our priority is to qualify for the Euros for the first time in 10 years since we played in a major tournament.”
The Greek Football Federation has not yet offered Poyet a contract extension. Therefore, if Poyet throws himself into the ring and a position becomes available in April, the FAI may consider Poyet’s candidacy. Next month, Ireland will play friendlies against Belgium and Switzerland in Dublin.
“If I answer here, I will be killed in Greece!” he continued. “People get upset when we tell the truth. I finished two contracts as a player. In my four-year contract with Real Zaragoza, I played everything I could until the last moment. After renewing my contract, I did it again with Chelsea. I did that. I wasn’t scared of getting hurt. I signed a contract and the contract ended at the end of the season.
“It’s the same here. There’s no secret. People ask if there’s a chance that I won’t be the manager if we qualify for the Euros. I don’t know. As of now, I don’t have a contract. That’s it. It’s the truth. It’s okay if people get upset when they hear the truth. I’m too old to face the truth.
“Time will tell. The focus is on securing the qualifications. After that we don’t know.”
Former Celtic manager Neil Lennon is set to secure a four-year contract from the FAI in the latest update, with Lee Carsley reportedly opting to distance himself from the Ireland international job and remain as England Under-21 manager. He is a strong candidate.
“The process is ongoing,” Lennon told Premier Sports on Saturday. “I don’t know yet if I’m part of that process…I just have to be patient and see what decisions they make.”
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