Next Republic Of Ireland Manager Odds: Duff Emerges As Leading Candidate
The Republic of Ireland’s sluggish form has piled the pressure on Heimir Hallgrimsson, and betting sites have a list of candidates ready to replace him.
A 2–2 home draw with Hungary opened their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign, but they then suffered an embarrassing 2–1 defeat against lowly Armenia.
The team has failed to gather the kind of momentum the voters and fans expect ahead of key playoff matches and group fixtures.
With heavy defeats and low-scoring draws accumulating, including a worrying 0–0 stalemate in a friendly with Luxembourg in June, things are not looking good for the Icelandic manager.
Several candidates are in the running to replace Hallgrimsson if he gets the sack, and former Ireland international Damien Duff has emerged as a popular favourite.
The upcoming fixtures are unforgiving, with this current international window seeing Ireland host Portugal, before heading to Hungary for the final game in World Cup qualifying.
Results and performances in those ties could define the campaign and have a significant bearing on Hallgrimsson’s future.
Here, we look at the main candidates to replace the Icelander, and the latest next Republic of Ireland manager odds.
Duff Would Have Fan Backing
Duff has been installed as the 2/1 favourite with most betting apps, and it is not hard to see why.
The former Ireland winger is available, highly regarded and has openly stated he wants to continue coaching in Ireland.
Next Republic of Ireland Manager Odds:
Manager | Odds | Probability |
Damien Duff | 2/1 | 33.3% |
Roy Keane | 11/4 | 26.7% |
Ange Postecoglou | 3/1 | 25% |
Chris Hughton | 3/1 | 25% |
Lee Carsley | 7/2 | 22.2% |
Robbie Keane | 4/1 | 20% |
Gary O'Neil | 5/1 | 16.7% |
John O'Shea | 11/2 | 15.4% |
Jon Dahl Tomasson | 6/1 | 14.3% |
Stephen Bradley | 7/1 | 12.5% |
Jim Goodwin | 8/1 | 11.1% |
Martin O'Neil | 12/1 | 7.7% |
With no obvious domestic role left other than the national team, the timing feels ideal.
He would be a popular appointment with most Irish fans, but the big question is whether the FAI see him as the right personality to turn things around.
Roy Would Be Box Office Appointment
Roy Keane sits close behind Duff at 11/4, driven by a combination of nostalgia and fan intrigue.
He has been linked with the Ireland job before and remains one of the most newsworthy names in Irish football.
While he has hinted that the national team job may have passed him by, Keane remains a serious contender with football betting sites.
Former player Ross Wallace, who played under Keane at Sunderland, said in an exclusive talk with Gambling.com that he believes international management would suit his former boss.
"It [Ireland job] might be perfect for him. It’s not as intense and week-in, week-out. I'd love to see Roy Keane back in football [management] again.
"He'd definitely put the demand on the players. But if he was going in, I'd like to see him get coaching staff who are really hands-on.
"He needs to get his backroom staff right. Which he did at Sunderland - Tony Loughlan was a brilliant coach there, Neil Bailey and Ricky Sbragia as well. He had good staff."
If the FAI want a statement figure, he is still the biggest draw on the list.
Postecoglou An Unlikely Coup
Ange Postecoglou is a 3/1 shot, reflecting the belief that while unlikely, his Celtic connection and international pedigree keep him in the frame.
Having led Australia at the 2014 World Cup and lifted multiple trophies in Glasgow, his CV would instantly elevate the Irish setup.
The stumbling block is whether he’d genuinely consider a move to international football again, let alone a struggling team like Ireland.
It would be a coup for the FAI to secure the Australian, but it seems unlikely.
Hughton A Safe Pair Of Hands
Chris Hughton joins Postecoglou at 3/1 and represents one of the more sensible options available to the FAI.
Out of work, experienced, respected and with strong Irish ties, Hughton ticks several practical boxes.
His calm approach and organisational strengths would offer stability after a turbulent period.
If the FAI prioritise reliability over risk, he becomes a serious contender.
Ireland Legends In The Mix
Robbie Keane (4/1) and Lee Carsley (7/2) sit just behind the front four in the betting odds, and both have credible claims.
Keane’s status as Ireland’s record scorer guarantees attention, and his growing managerial experience abroad makes him a strong candidate.
Carsley, meanwhile, continues to earn praise with England’s U21s and is widely tipped for a senior international job in the near future.
Both offer a blend of modern coaching and Irish connection - making them viable alternatives if the big names fall away.
The Chasing Pack
Beyond the main contenders, the market is rounded out by candidates who are either out of work or have connections to Ireland.
Gary O’Neil (5/1) would be an interesting appointment but he is being linked with several club jobs, and is currently towards the head of the market in the next Middlesbrough manager odds.
John O’Shea (11/2), currently part of Hallgrimsson's back-room team, had a short interim spell in charge of the team, while Jon Dahl Tomasson (6/1) is available after leaving Sweden.
Stephen Bradley (7/1) is a talented young coach who has established a reputation for himself with his successes in charge of Shamrock Rovers.
Elsewhere, Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin, who earned one cap for the country, is 8/1, while former Ireland boss Martin O'Neill, currently in temporary charge of Celtic, is the 12/1 outsider in the next Republic of Ireland manager odds.
