Richard Dunne has labelled former international team-mate Lee Carsley his \u201cdream hire\u201d for the Republic of Ireland manager job.<\/p>\n
Stephen Kenny\u2019s exit was confirmed last night following the 1-1 draw with New Zealand on Tuesday evening, which proceeded a dismal Euro 2024 qualifying campaign in which the Boys in Green lost six of their eight matches.<\/p>\n
A statement from the FAI read: \u201cThe board agrees that now is the right time for change ahead of the friendly matches in March and June 2024 and the next Nations League campaign starting in September 2024.\u201d<\/p>\n
With the role now vacant, ex-Ireland centre-back Dunne believes England Under-21s boss Carsley is tailor-made to be Kenny\u2019s successor.<\/p>\n
The 44-year-old told LiveScore: \u201cFor me it\u2019s always about the results and qualification \u2014 and supporting the Irish identity, playing with intensity and aggression.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe dream hire for me would be Carsley. He\u2019s done his thing with England and obviously he played for Ireland.<\/p>\n
\u201cCarsley is obviously doing very well with England but if Ireland could tempt him away, he\u2019s someone who can get the best out of what he\u2019s got.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith the U21s he always has to chop and change his squad, be adaptable \u2014 and that\u2019s a skill the next Ireland manager will certainly need.\u201d<\/p>\n
Not good enough<\/h2>\n
Kenny won just six of his 29 competitive matches as Ireland boss, with their only two wins in Euro 2024 qualifying coming home and away against minnows Gibraltar.<\/p>\n
Dunne is well aware the Irish have not been good enough in recent times but stresses the current group of players are capable of reviving the nation\u2019s status.<\/p>\n
He said: \u201cThe simple fact is Ireland were not good enough [to qualify for Euro 2024]. We\u2019ve not performed.<\/p>\n
\u201cOver Kenny\u2019s reign as manager, we\u2019ve gone backwards. Ireland drew with New Zealand who are 103rd in the world rankings.<\/p>\n \u201cThe style of football Ireland play has tried to be changed and we\u2019ve just not won games.<\/p>\n \u201cI believe we have a group of players who have the abilities to perform very well, whether they qualify for tournaments or not.<\/p>\n \u201cKenny stuck too much to his guns and his philosophy, without taking into account the players available to him and making sure he gets the best out of them individually.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve become almost easy to play against and it\u2019s been tough to watch.<\/p>\n \u201cHowever, one positive from Kenny is he brought in 28 new players for debuts and given the side more options. It\u2019s now about getting the right man in to give them the best chance.\u201d<\/p>\n Another positive for Ireland is Evan Ferguson\u2019s emergence \u2014 and Dunne believes the 19-year-old sensation would be wise to remain at Brighton beyond this season.<\/p>\n He added: \u201cBrighton is the right place for Evan at the moment. He\u2019s going to get plenty of minutes on the pitch to really develop and has a manager who believes in him.<\/p>\n \u201cIn 18 months or so it might be time for him to move and Chelsea could be a potential destination.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd maybe Arsenal, they are a team that create a lot of chances and are also crying out for a No9.<\/p>\n \u201cEvan\u2019s got that ability to drop deep too, so he can mix it up and help Arsenal change their style of play when required.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"Lee](\"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/18e0ec92-7ac2-4e1e-b927-cee8b837353e.jpg\")
Fantastic Ferguson<\/h2>\n
![\"Evan](\"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/2fb8dee2-90a1-4716-8fb4-d44543612fae.jpg\")