ANTHONY BARRY will not take the Ireland job this month, SunSport understands.
The odds on the former Ireland coach becoming Stephen Kenny’s permanent replacement tumbled in the past 48 hours.
But SunSport understands that, while the 37-year-old is admired within the FAI, he is committed to his roles with Bayern Munich and Portugal.
Barry will leave the Bundesliga giants at the end of the season along with head coach Thomas Tuchel and he is committed to work as Roberto Martinez’s coach at Euro 2024.
That would seemingly rule him out of the running for the Ireland job.
FAI director of football Marc Canham revealed in February that a new appointment would be named in early April once contractual obligations were fulfilled.
But that time frame does not work with Barry’s commitments, which include coaching Portugal against Ireland on June 11.
It is understood that Barry — who was last week tipped to take over at Sporting Lisbon if Ruben Amorim moves to Liverpool— is keen to work in the club game.
He was high on Canham’s shortlist when Kenny left last November, having impressed FAI staff during his stint alongside the ex-Ireland gaffer in 2021.
But the then-Chelsea set-piece coach quit his part-time Ireland post to join Martinez with Belgium ahead of the 2022 World Cup.
And he followed Tuchel from Chelsea to Bayern — who paid €1million to the Londoners to release him from his contract — and pursued Martinez from Belgium to Portugal.
The Liverpool-born coach fits Canham’s preference for an on-field chief with international experience, though he has never managed a team.
He was approached last year about taking the Ireland job but rejected the offer because of his other commitments.
Barry is believed to have been sounded out more recently after it emerged Tuchel will leave Bayern at the end of the season.
The FAI have not commented on the managerial search in the past fortnight when, following the board’s March meeting, they reaffirmed there would be an announcement this month.
Canham had said it would be ‘early April’, but FAI sources indicate no board meeting has been called — which must happen before a new appointment.
Greek media reported that Gus Poyet was approached in recent weeks but turned down the offer, while Georgia coach Willy Sagnol was also on the radar.
Timeline of FAI search
November 22 – Stephen Kenny departs as Republic of Ireland manager
Late November – According to Lee Carsley, the one and only time he discussed the vacancy with the FAI
January 24 – Roy Keane first publicly declares his interest on The Overlap
February 9 – Nations League draw – Initial target date to have someone appointed by
February 19 – Chris Coleman withdraws from the running
February 28 – John O’Shea appointed interim head coach
March 4 – FAI director of football Marc Canham states they have someone lined up
March 23 & 26 – O’Shea oversees home friendlies versus Belgium and Switzerland
Early April – Initial estimation by Canham on when appointment will be revealed, however, this has since been pushed back til later in the month
Lee Carsley confirmed last month that, while approached by the FAI, he is committed to England’s Under-21s.
Chris Coleman also spoke to Canham and CEO Jonathan Hill.
Neil Lennon was informed by the FAI in February that he was no longer on their shortlist, while Damien Duff revealed that he turned down an approach by a third party to talk.
The Ireland legend — whose former team-mate John O’Shea took charge on an interim basis for last month’s friendlies — said yesterday he was bored by the process.
He said: “Anthony Barry sounds amazing, I’d love to see him work.
“So, if it is Anthony, great, I wish him luck. If it is John, great, I wish him luck.
“The League of Ireland is the shining light of Irish football.
“I hate having needless conversations. It’s a waste of pens and paper, wastes a good League of Ireland story for some s***e.”