England U21 boss Lee Carsley snubs chance to become Ireland manager to stay on with Young Lions

LEE CARSLEY has rejected the Republic of Ireland job to stay with England Under-21s.

The 50-year-old ex Everton Premier League midfielder won 40 caps for the Irish during his playing days.

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U21 Euro-winner Lee Carsley has snubbed Ireland to stay with England[/caption]

The Birmingham-born coach qualified to represent them through his grandmother, who is from County Cork.

Now he has emerged as a wanted man again by the Irish since leading England to U21 European Championship glory last summer.

Ireland sacked Stephen Kenny after failing to qualify for Euro 2024 and he was the strong favourite to replace him.

However, Carsley has admitted that he held talks with the FAI over the Irish job, but he told the Daily Mail that he has snubbed it to stay with England.

He said: “I’ve always said that I’m really privileged to do this job I’m in.

“I went to speak to them. Really informal, enjoyable, for around an hour. It went no further.

“It was good to see what their thoughts were and to explore whether I was ready to take that next step. It just went no further. I didn’t push it.”

Manchester United legend John O’Shea was named as interim manager of the Republic of Ireland last month after serving on Kenny’s coaching staff.

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O’Shea will lead his country in the upcoming friendlies against Belgium and Switzerland before the FAI hope to name a permanent successor to Kenny in April.

Ireland’s search is being led by FAI chief executive Jonathan Hill, director of football Marc Canham and ex-goalkeeper Packie Bonner.

But that will not be Carsley, who revealed that talks with FA technical director John McDermott convinced him to lead England’s U21 Euro defence.

He added: “There was a feeling that I would go and do a senior job after the summer but speaking to John McDermott and other people, I’m committed to this campaign.

“At some point, maybe it’s something I’ll do. I didn’t need convincing.

“I see myself as a development coach. I’ve not put myself out there, applying for jobs or anything.

“I definitely wouldn’t go down that route with the position I’m in and how lucky I am.”

Carsley has been touted as a potential successor to Gareth Southgate with the England senior team.

The Three Lions manager’s contract expires at the end of the year and he has been linked with taking charge of Manchester United following the Euros.

Carsley started taking his badges while still a player and has worked for the likes of Coventry City, Sheffield United and Manchester City’s academies as well as being part of England’s youth set-up.

Having initially been England U20 head coach, he stepped up to the U21s in July 2021 and embarked on a stunning two-year journey through qualification to glory.

Carsley’s side then beat Spain 1-0 in July to be crowned European U21 champions, their first title in the competition since 1984.