Chelsea and Spurs legend linked with blockbuster managerial appointment

Former Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur star Gus Poyet appears to be on the verge of being appointed as the new manager of the Republic of Ireland as the nation continues to look for a permanent successor to Stephen Kenny.

The Premier League legend has had his odds of landing the role slashed and is now the frontrunner to take charge of Ireland. Former Manchester United player John O'Shea is currently interim boss after Kenny left on his contract's end having failed to qualify for Euro 2024.

Poyet has long been linked with the job and publicly expressed his interest in the position despite currently being the manager of the Greece international side. The former FA Cup winner has been in the position since 2022 and could qualify the country for Euro 2024 with a win against Georgia in tomorrow night's play-off fixture.

Despite the success, with Greece having failed to qualify for the Euros in 2016 and 2020, Poyet's future remains up in the air. The 56-year-old's contract is believed to expire following tomorrow's play-off tie and it's widely speculated that even if he gains Euro 2024 qualification, he won't necessarily extend his stay.

A move to Ireland, who Greece beat twice in qualifiers, would be somewhat of a blockbuster change should Poyet not choose to take his current team to Euro 2024. Other contenders for the Republic of Ireland job are Georgia manager Willy Sagnol and England under-21 coach Lee Carsley.

Speaking in March about the Ireland job, Poyet told Breakingnews.ie: "When I was here with Greece, I was very happy with the support of the national team. It was a proper, proper football night, the type of one that makes you play. I think it was important to say that because it was a great night.

"I say the truth, I think it is an incredible place. To manage a national team like that would be a privilege, and to play with that support would be spectacular. Saying that, right now, the timing is not right. I have got the play-off, I am focused on the play-off. Nothing changes, nobody has contacted me, there is nothing."