Chris Coleman: Ex-Wales boss a leading candidate for Republic of Ireland job

Former Wales manager Chris Coleman is a leading candidate to succeed Stephen Kenny as Republic of Ireland boss.

Coleman, who won 32 caps for Wales as a centre-back, led his country to the Euro 2016 semi-finals during his time in charge between 2012 and 2017.

The former Fulham and Sunderland boss has been out of work since leaving Greek club Atromitos last October.

Speaking earlier this month, Football Association of Ireland director of football Marc Canham said the governing body hoped to announce a new Republic of Ireland head coach “very soon”.

Former Celtic manager Neil Lennon and Lee Carsley, the England Under-21s coach and ex-Republic of Ireland midfielder, have both also been linked to the job.

Now Coleman, who led Wales to historic heights during his five-year reign, has emerged as a strong contender.

Although the 53-year-old is synonymous with Wales, he has strong Irish connections, with his father Paddy born and raised in Dublin.

During his time in charge of Wales, Coleman revealed he received a “tentative phone call” from former Republic of Ireland manager Jack Charlton enquiring if he would be interested in playing for them.

Coleman declined that offer and, after his playing career was cut short by injury, he became the youngest man to take charge of a Premier League team when he succeeded Jean Tigana at Fulham aged 32 in 2003.

He followed his four-year tenure at Craven Cottage with short-lived stints at Spanish side Real Sociedad, Coventry City and Greek club Larissa before succeeding the late Gary Speed as Wales manager in 2012.

Despite a difficult start to his reign, Coleman oversaw one of the most successful periods in Welsh football history, peaking with qualification for Euro 2016 – Wales’ first major tournament for 58 years – and their momentous run to the semi-finals.

After Wales’ qualifying campaign for the 2018 World Cup ended in defeat by the Republic of Ireland, Coleman departed in November 2017 to take charge of Sunderland.