“Stephen is under pressure.”
Republic of Ireland legend Packie Bonner has admitted that Stephen Kenny “needs results now” as the pressure continues to mount on the Irish manager.
Ireland lost a must-win game against Greece last Friday, and although they followed it up with victory over Gibraltar, the team’s hopes for qualifying for Euro 2024 look bleak.
With huge games against the likes of France and Holland coming up in September, there appears little to be optimistic about, as another tournament seems out of reach.
The Irishman wanted to implement a particular way of playing football, and has been granted time to do so, but the results don’t make for good reading.
Kenny has won five of 24 competitive games, losing 12, and Ireland are all but out of the Euro 2024 running, having fallen short in two previous Nations League games and the 2022 World Cup under Kenny.
Bonner, who represented Ireland 80 times during his playing career, admits that results are needed sooner rather than later.
“Stephen is under pressure but every manager is under pressure,” said Bonner, now an independent director on the FAI board.
“He has had time to try and develop a team and how they want to play, he needs results now. Everyone in football wants to win, win, win but you need time to develop things.
“Every campaign has a time when you are in or you are out and that might be the determining factor here.”
Related links:
- Ireland v Gibraltar: Player ratings as pressure eased on Stephen Kenny
- Sam Allardyce has reportedly offered to succeed Stephen Kenny
- Former Ireland player reportedly being lined up to succeed Stephen Kenny
- Nathan Collins and Dara O’Shea set for Premier League transfers ahead of new season
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