Former Chelsea and Tottenham star dismisses suggestions that he could become Republic of Ireland manager despite recently becoming a free agent

A former Chelsea and Tottenham player has dismissed suggestions that he could become the new Republic of Ireland manager.

The Ireland job is currently vacant, with John O’Shea in interim charge following the departure of Stephen Kenny last year. 

The individual in question had been heavily linked with the job after leaving another national team. 

However, former midfielder Gus Poyet insists that he will not become Ireland boss. 

Poyet is currently a free agent after his contract with Greece expired at the end of March.

The 56-year-old stated that there is ‘no possibility’ of him taking charge of Ireland. 

Poyet told The Sun: ‘There is nothing, it’s not gonna happen. So there is really no comments to make.

‘I will compare to (something) similar. I remember last November or December so many people from England were contacting me (asking me if) I was going to Plymouth.

‘Because when betting (sites) put it (my name) at the top up there… I don’t know how many coaches were already practically (a) done (deal) with Republic of Ireland.’

Poyet commented on how numerous other managers have been linked with Ireland. 

He said: ‘Apart from me, it was Roy Keane, it was a (Ole Gunnar) Solskjaer, it was Paul Clement, it was John O’Shea. They were all done. And nobody’s done.

‘So that will happen with the betting (sites). Okay, we have to be honest, sometimes they’re right. But no, there is no possibility.’ 

Poyet helped Greece to win their Nations League group, which saw them promoted to League B and earned them progression to the Euro 2024 play-offs.

However, Greece ended up losing on penalties to Georgia in the final of path C and Poyet’s deal expired thereafter. 

Poyet added that he hasn’t had any communication regarding a new deal with Greece.

He said: ‘Simple, there is nothing at the moment. There’s nothing, I finished my contract last month and that’s it, there is nothing else.

‘So right now I’m free meeting people, analysing football, keep learning. Waiting. Always talking to different possibilities.

‘No offers, possibilities. But with Greece right now there is absolutely nothing.’

Gus Poyet is a free agent after leaving Greece but he won’t be taking charge of Ireland

Poyet represented both Chelsea and Tottenham during his career as a player

As a player Poyet represented Chelsea from 1997 to 2001 before moving to Tottenham.

He started his managerial career in England with Brighton, where he won the League One title in the 2010-11 campaign.

Poyet also reached the final of the League Cup in 2014 with Sunderland, with the Black Cats losing to Manchester City.

Since then Poyet has managed AEK Athens, Real Betis, Shanghai Shenhua, Bordeaux and Universidad Catolica.