Lee Carsley: England U21 boss rejects chance to become Republic of Ireland boss

Lee Carsley has opted to stay in his current England Under-21 post after guiding them to a first European Championship in 39 years last June

England Under-21 boss Lee Carsley has turned down the opportunity to become the new Republic of Ireland manager.

Carsley, who won 40 Republic of Ireland caps, had emerged as the strong favourite to succeed Stephen Kenny.

However, the 50-year-old has opted to stay in his current role after guiding England Under-21s to a first European Championship in 39 years last June.

"I've always said that I'm really privileged to do this job I'm in," Carsley told the Daily Mail.

The England Under-21 manager confirmed that he held discussions with the Football Association of Ireland in November.

"I went to speak to them. Really informal, enjoyable, for around an hour. It went no further.

"It was good to see what their thoughts were and to explore whether I was ready to take that next step. It just went no further. I didn't push it."

John O'Shea is in interim charge of the Republic of Ireland for the friendlies against Belgium and Switzerland over the next week

Carsley is understood to have been the FAI's preferred candidate to replace Kenny after his three-and-a-half-year reign drew to a close in November.

FAI director of football Marc Canham said earlier this month that "existing contractual arrangements" would delay the appointment of Kenny's successor until early April.

Initially, the FA had planned to have a new boss in place by the time the Uefa Nations League draw took place on 8 February.

John O'Shea has been put in interim charge of the side for the friendlies against Belgium and Switzerland over the next week.

Canham, chief executive Jonathan Hill and board member Packie Bonner have been handed the task of identifying potential candidates, and former Celtic boss Neil Lennon has also held talks, although he was later told the association was looking elsewhere.

Former Wales manager Chris Coleman was reported to be in strong contention for the job in February only to quickly rule himself out as a candidate.

Carsley made his Republic debut in 1997 during his time at Derby County and continued his international career during his stints at Blackburn, Coventry and Everton before making his final appearance against Brazil in February 2008.