Brian Kerr does not expect Lee Carsley to be next Ireland manager

Brian Kerr has said that he would be surprised to see Lee Carsley taking charge of the Republic of Ireland in April.

The former Ireland manager, who was in charge of the national team from 2003 to 2005, has returned to the FAI in his new role of technical advisory to interim Ireland head coach John O'Shea.

And Kerr who has kept in touch with his former midfielder does not expect to see Carsley take the permanent position, which is set to be filled after the upcoming double header against Belgium and Switzerland later this month.

"I’d be surprised if Lee was back in the frame," said Kerr, speaking on RTÉ Radio 1's The Ray D’Arcy Show.

"Lee played when I was manager and I’ve been in touch with Lee a bit, and I’d be surprised. Unfortunately, I don’t think that he is in the picture, but I could be wrong.

"Marc Canham and Jonathan Hill have been doing the work on this, and Packie Bonnar, and have kept things close to themselves, and I haven’t asked what is happening but they seem very assured that they will have their man in April.

"But I don’t know, I’d only be speculating at this stage, I'm as intrigued as everyone else."

Meanwhile, Kerr has gone straight to work in his new role, having watched the Manchester derby on Sunday, while he is back on the road today as he sets off to London to watch QPR take on West Bromwich Albion at Loftus Road in the Championship.

"I was on a bit of a job on Sunday, I was at Mancehster City and Manchester United. There was a couple of lads there who play for Belgium playing for Manchester City, so I was watching them in terms of what they might do, so I have been busy the last few days.

"This is my first match in terms of assessing how the Irish players are doing in live games.

"I’m going to QPR and