“The FAI haven’t always been very good at renewing contracts.”
Brian Kerr has questioned the FAI’s decision to award Stephen Kenny a new contract to continue as the Republic of Ireland’s national team manager until the end of the Euro 2024 campaign.
Kenny’s new deal was announced on Wednesday afternoon, and the move was well-received by most Ireland fans on social media after a positive end to 2021 for the team.
Kerr, however, appears to be unconvinced. He noted that the Boys in Green have lost some crucial games under the former Dundalk coach.
Brian Kerr questions the FAI awarding Stephen Kenny a new contract.
The former Ireland manager said that he was ‘happy’ for Kenny on a personal level, but questioned the FAI’s decision.
Kerr spoke about the big games Ireland lost under their current manager and said that the FAI do not have a great track record when it comes to contract renewals.
Kenny has won four of his 20 games as manager of the national team, lost seven and recorded nine draws.
“I’m happy for Stephen,” the ex-St. Patrick’s Athletic manager said during Virgin Media Sport‘s Champions League coverage on Wednesday evening.
“The FAI haven’t always been very good at renewing contracts or they’ve renewed contracts before they should have.
“My view overall was that we went tamely out of three different competitions since Stephen got the job,” Kerr continued.
“We went out of the Nations League and failed to win a match against Finland, Bulgaria, and Wales.
“Ultimately, that comes back on you, whether that’s around coefficients or play-off places.
“Then we lost the play-off match (for Euro 2020), which was only a semi-final against Slovakia, and then the World Cup, we went out from the start.
“We lost the match with Serbia early on, lost to Portugal – (we were) maybe a little bit unfortunate to lose that match early on.”
"I'm happy for Stephen. The FAI haven't always been very good at renewing contracts, or they've renewed contracts before they should have."
Brian Kerr & Damien Delaney react to the Stephen Kenny's contract extension.#COYBIG pic.twitter.com/HNfaZ9HUNi
— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) March 9, 2022
Brian Kerr and Stephen Kenny.
Kerr is not wrong – Ireland did lose important matches under Kenny, and the team did exit three competitions during his tenure.
The former Derry City coach also has a modest record as manager of the national team.
Kenny’s record certainly pales in comparison to Kerr’s, who had a 55 per cent win rate when Ireland manager between 2003 and 2005.
Yet, on the other hand, Kenny has done a credible job in difficult circumstances. The players have responded well to his coaching and the majority of fans are behind him.
Kenny has redeveloped the team, blooded several young players, and changed the style of play. He also does not have a host of elite players at his disposal.
Kerr could call upon some Premier League and Champions League players when he was the Ireland manager. The current squad contains mostly Championship and League One players.
Despite Kerr questioning the decision, the FAI were arguably right to give Kenny another campaign to build on his work of the last two years.
Ireland are back in action at the end of March when they will play Belgium and Lithuania in friendlies at the Aviva Stadium.
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