- Written by Dafydd Pritchard
- BBC Sport Wales
image source, Getty Images
Chris Coleman has worked in England, China and Greece since stepping down as Wales manager.
Former Wales manager Chris Coleman is no longer in contention to replace Stephen Kenny as Ireland manager.
Mr Coleman, 53, was one of the leading candidates in talks with the Football Association of Ireland (FAI).
However, BBC Sport Wales has learned that the former Sunderland manager, who has been appointed since leaving Greek club Atromitos in October last year, is not a candidate.
The Republic of Ireland have been without a manager since Kenny’s three-year term ended in November 2023.
Coleman won 32 caps for Wales as a centre-back and led his country to the Euro 2016 semi-finals during his spell between 2012 and 2017.
Earlier this month, FAI Director of Football Mark Canham said the FAI hoped to announce the Republic of Ireland’s new head coach “soon”.
England Under-21 manager and former Ireland midfielder Lee Kearsley and former Celtic manager Neil Lennon are also rumored to be involved in the job.
Carsley is thought to have been the FAI’s preferred candidate, but England manager Gareth Southgate expressed confidence that the former Republic international would remain in his current role during the recent UEFA Nations League draw.
Although Coleman is synonymous with Wales, his father Paddy was born and raised in Dublin and has strong ties to Ireland.
Coleman revealed that while he was Wales manager, he received a “tentative call” from former Ireland manager Jack Charlton asking him if he was interested in playing for Wales.
Coleman turned down the offer and, after his playing career was cut short by injury, he replaced Jean Tigana at Fulham in 2003, becoming the youngest player to take charge of a Premier League team at the age of 32.
He was appointed Wales manager in 2012, replacing the late Gary Speed, following a four-year tenure at Craven Cottage, followed by short stints at Real Sociedad in Spain, Coventry City and Greek club Larissa. was appointed.
Despite a difficult start to Coleman’s reign, he oversaw one of the most successful periods in Welsh football history, qualifying for and reaching the semi-finals of Euro 2016, Wales’ first major tournament in 58 years. They reached the top with a memorable breakthrough.
Coleman was appointed Sunderland manager in November 2017 after Wales’ 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign ended with a loss to the Republic of Ireland.