The FA are braced for an approach for England U21 boss Lee Carsley from Republic of Ireland with Stephen Kenny’s job under threat after their Euro 2024 hopes were all but ended

• Ireland boss Stephen Kenny is under fire after their 2-1 loss to the Netherlands 
• The FA are bracing for an approach for their England U21 boss Lee Carsley  
• Listen to the latest episode of Mail Sport’s podcast It’s All Kicking Off! 

The FA are braced for an approach for England Under-21 manager Lee Carsley should their Irish counterparts decide to sack their senior team’s boss Stephen Kenny. 

The Republic of Ireland manager’s job is under threat after their hopes of qualifying automatically for next summer’s European Championship were all but ended by last night’s 2-1 defeat to the Netherlands.

Ireland retain a mathematical chance of qualifying, but would need to win all three of their remaining games and hope Holland fail to collect another point from four matches. Earning a play-off spot is also unlikely as Kenny’s side are six points behind third-place Greece, and even that may not save Kenny. 

The former under 21 manager was given the job in the first place after the FA of Ireland sacked Mick McCarthy before the Euro 2020 play-offs, and his employers may decide on another change ahead of a potential play-off date next March.

Ireland face Greece next month in a game they may have to win to reach the play-offs before finishing their campaign with matches against Gibraltar and Holland. 

The FA are bracing for an approach from the Republic of Ireland for their England U21 boss Lee Carsley (L) – with Ireland boss Stephen Kenny (R) under pressure

Ireland’s hopes of qualifying for Euro 2024 hang by a thread after losing 2-1 to the Netherlands

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Kenny is likely to remain in charge for Greece’s visit to Dublin, but appears doomed in the long-term, with Carsley earmarked as a potential successor since earlier this year, as revealed by Mail Sport.

Carsley won 40 caps for Ireland and has made an outstanding start to his managerial career by leading England to their first U21 European Championship win since 1984 this summer. 

The former Everton midfield player will begin England’s defence of their title, which starts with a qualifying game against Luxembourg this evening, but is only employed on a one-year rolling contract by the FA so poaching him may not prove insurmountable.

Carsley is happy in his current role, and it is unclear whether he would welcome any approach from Ireland.

Carsley has impressed in his role and masterminded England’s U21 European Championships triumph this summer

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