Wexford Youths have responded to the reports that the FAI are set to appoint Mick McCarthy as Ireland manager by publicly supporting Dundalk manager Stephen Kenny.
Multiple reports on Friday indicated that McCarthy, who managed the Republic of Ireland between 1996 and 2002, would return to the national team after he was reportedly offered a contract by the FAI.
McCarthy is seemingly the preferred option to Kenny, who won his fourth League of Ireland Premier Division title with Dundalk last season, but Wexford were quick to follow St. Patrick’s Athletic lead and offer their support to Kenny.
Wexford wrote in a statement on their club website:
“While there are reports that the FAI may be going in a different direction, League of Ireland club Wexford FC are endorsing Stephen Kenny for the vacant position of International Manager of the Irish Senior Football team.
“Stephen has shown the character, ability, intelligence and integrity to be a perfect choice for this demanding role.
“The notion that a League of Ireland manager wouldn’t have ‘what it takes’ doesn’t stand up. While CEO John Delaney may be under pressure to make a big name appointment, we would appeal to him to be brave and make the courageous decision to appoint Stephen Kenny, the right man to retrieve the fortunes of Irish international Football.”
St. Patrick’s Athletic have also thrown their full weight of support as a club behind the nomination of Kenny to the role of international senior men’s team manager.
“The board of St. Patrick’s Athletic FC, as stakeholders in Irish domestic football, have convened and endorse and recommend Stephen Kenny for the vacant position as manager of the national team,” their official statement read.
“We believe Stephen Kenny is the best candidate and that he has proven he has the experience, knowledge, commitment and intellect to change the current direction of the Irish senior team.
“Stephen’s appointment would undeniably be a boost for both the grassroots and domestic leagues.
“All involved would know that the country’s game would be in the hands of a man who knows and believes that the future of the game is the nurturing and proper and professional development of the game in schools, communities, academies and clubs countrywide.
“We hope that all stakeholders of the domestic game that agree, express their view in the public forum.”
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