We have the next Republic of Ireland manager odds and betting favourites for you following increased pressure on Heimir Hallgrímsson following Ireland's 2-1 defeat at the hands of Armenia last September.
Heimir Hallgrímsson is only in the Republic of Ireland manager a little over a year since his initial appointment in July 2024, but it already feels like the Icelander could be on borrowed time in the role.
Despite signs of improvement in their two-legged victory over Bulgaria to avoid relegation in the Nations League and a respectable 1-1 draw in a friendly against Senegal, the defeat to Armenia in the last camp puts qualifying in an exceptionally difficult qualifying position and so the FAI could have their eye on finding the next permanent manager.
Next Republic of Ireland Manager Odds
Candidate | Odds | Chance |
|---|---|---|
Damien Duff | 10/3 | 23.1% |
Chris Hughton | 5/1 | 16.7% |
John O'Shea | 5/1 | 16.7% |
Stephen Bradley | 11/2 | 15.4% |
Nuno Espírito Santo | 13/2 | 13.3% |
Robbie Keane | 7/1 | 12.5% |
Lee Carsely | 12/1 | 7.7% |
Roy Keane | 16/1 | 5.9% |
Who Would You Like To See As The Next Republic of Ireland Manager?
Next Republic of Ireland Manager Betting Favourites
Next Republic of Ireland Manager Betting Favourites
Damien Duff
Damien Duff
The favourite to become the next permanent Republic of Ireland manager is former Shelbourne manager Damien Duff with odds 10/3 suggesting he has a 23.1% chance of landing the role.
Duff's playing career speaks for itself with well in excess over 600 Professional Club Games with the likes of Chelsea, Newcastle and Fulham. With his country he also represented 100 times between 1998-2012 scoring 8 times.
Unlike many former footballers who almost expect to get coaching roles on the back of a positive playing career the Dubliner certainly worked his way up the ladder. Following his retirement in 2015 he spent years honing his coaching craft with Shamrock Rovers underage, Celtic and Ireland before eventually landing his first Head Coach role with Shelbourne in 2021.
That appointment proved an unequivocal success guiding them to a runners-up finish in the 2022 FAI Cup which was his first season at the club, qualifying for Europe in 2023 with a 4th finish before defying the odds in 2024 to guide them to their first Premier Division title since 2006 in 2024 securing it on the final day of the season.
However, following a poor start to their season in 2025 he stepped down as manager of the club on the 22nd of June and since then he's been jobless though he has hinted recently that he could be close to a return.. A leading contender for the role and with good reason.
He would certainly be Box Office …
Chris Hughton
Chris Hughton
Joint second favourite for the potential role with Ireland is Chris Hughton at odds of 5/1 suggesting a 16.7% chance he lands the role.
Chris Hughton represented Ireland 51 times between 1979-1991 after qualifying to play for the country through his Irish mother. Since hanging up his boots in 1993 he has forged a relatively successful coaching career with the likes of Newcastle, Norwich and Brighton coming runner-up with the latter of the three in the Championship in 2016-17 earning promotion to the Premier League. He was even Ireland Assistant Manager between 2003-2005.
Most recently, after a period as Technical Advisor with Ghana (his father's nation) on 12 February 2023, Hughton was Head Coach with Ghana. With Ghana having failed to qualify from the group stages of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, Hughton was sacked on 23 January 2024 and since then has been jobless.
However, in Hughton's defence there was a lot outside noise which affected his performance in the role (arguably not dissimilar to Ireland mind you). He remains in the frame for the role , not the best candidate but not the worst by the same logic.
John O'Shea
John O'Shea
The other joint favourite for the Republic of Ireland job is John O'Shea who prior the appointment of Heimir Hallgrímsson served as Interim manager initially for the March friendlies last year.
O'Shea had a distinguished club career which saw him play 680+ Senior Games the majority of those coming with Man United for whom he'd play his part in 14 club trophies from 1999-2011 with the Red Devils. O'Shea represented Ireland a staggering 118 times scoring 3 goals from 2001-2018.
Since hanging up his boots in 2019, he has built up a fairly extensive coaching career with spells at Reading, Ireland U21s + Senior, Stoke City as well most recently at Birmingham.
The March friendlies came with a lot of conjecture an initial 0-0 draw with a rotated Belgium showed some degree of promise, although that was followed by a poorer showing against the Swiss whereby they lose 0-1. Following the camp there was echoes of ill feeling around the squad with regards to training/preparation. O'Shea managed Ireland to his first win as interim manager with a 2-1 victory against Hungary and while the win was welcomed the performance left a lot to be desired.
Despite speculation he could move on following the appointment of Heimir Hallgrímsson he continued on as assistant coach and despite his association with the current and previous regimes he's certainly a contender if and when it becomes available again.
Stephen Bradley
Stephen Bradley
Next in the betting to become the next Republic of Ireland manager is Shamrock Rovers manager Stephen Bradley with odds of 11/2 suggesting a 15.4% chance he become Irelands next permanent manager.
Bradley came through the Arsenal Academy in 2004-2005, and would go on to have a 9 year career in professional career playing across both Ireland and Scotland he retired in 2013 after a spell with Limerick. Internationally for Ireland he was also capped at both U16 and U21 level.
He spent time as a Consultant/Scout for Arsenal between 2014-2020 but was landed his first foray into management with Shamrock Rovers in 2016 initially as Caretaker Manager before being given the role as a permanent position.
Following years of patient building at the club and successive European Football finishes his side finally made the breakthrough in 2020 landing their first Premier Division title since 2011 they would then win in 2021, 2022 and 2023 and though they missed out in 2024, they're about the regain that trophy in 2025.
Away from the domestic side of things, Bradley's Rovers side have become consistent performers on the European Stage and I think on current odds he remains a value play in the current betting market.
Nuno Espírito Santo
Nuno Espírito Santo
Fifth Favourite for the Ireland role is West Ham manager Nuno Espírito Santo at odds of 13/2.
The Portuguese man has a well-established reputation in club management doing exceptional jobs with the likes of Porto, Wolves and even as recently last season helping guide Nottingham Forest to 7th place finish.
Nuno's managerial profile as someone who sets his sides up with strong defensive organisation, often using a back five or low block to stifle opponents while also having his side ready and drilled to attack on the counter certainly would be a profile which could benefit the Irish team.
Certainly a manager with proven pedigree at club level , but I can't see him being an active target for the FAI given his current contract with West Ham,
Other Contenders
Other Contenders
Elsewhere, Republic of Ireland record goal-scorer Robbie Keane is priced at 7/1 following experience with ATK, Maccabi Tel Aviv and currently with Ferencvárosi he's certainly a future contender for the Ireland Manager job.
Could the FAI go back in for Lee Carsley? The current England U21 manager is currently priced at odds of 12/1 for the potential position.
Rounding off the betting market is certainly a name which would capture media attention with former Ireland International, Captain and assistant coach Roy Keane seen as a16/1 shot.
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