"I thought winning was part of that package."
Roy Keane has been speaking about Stephen Kenny. The former Manchester United captain does not appear to be particularly impressed by Kenny's performance as Republic of Ireland manager so far.
Keane said that the Dubliner, who has been the national team coach since April 2020, has done "okay" in the job, but that the top level of international football is "about winning games."
Roy Keane: Stephen Kenny is doing an "okay" job as Ireland manager.
"I think they’re (Ireland and Kenny) doing okay,” Keane said at a fundraiser for Kerry Hospice on Friday night (quotes via
The Irish Examiner).
"And if okay is fine for everybody else in Ireland, good luck to them. Along the line at top level football, I thought winning was part of that package. Maybe I’m wrong."
Kenny experienced a difficult first year in the role. Ireland lost on penalties in a play-off for the European Championships, failed to win a game in 2020 and only scored once in the Uefa Nations League. In March of this year, they suffered an embarrassing 1-0 defeat to Luxembourg at the Aviva Stadium.
Ireland, however, have experienced more positive results over the last few months. Kenny's team have only lost one of their last 10 matches - away to Portugal in September after two late Cristiano Ronaldo goals.
They rallied to finish third in their World Cup qualification group with victories over Azerbaijan and Luxembourg, and a goalless draw against Portugal.
Keane, however, seemingly remains to be convinced about Kenny's performance.
Roy Keane on Stephen Kenny.
"Football is about opinions," the former Ireland captain said.
"He has the Irish press on his side, especially the Dublin lot. But at the top level, it is about getting over the line and winning games.
Keane worked as Ireland assistant manager under Martin O'Neill from 2013 to 2018, a period that saw the national team qualify for Euro 2016.
He said that he still finds it "bizarre" that the FAI opted for Mick McCarthy as manager after he and O'Neill left their positions in November 2018. Keane also said that he a
"Young players deserve time, but that wasn’t the reality for Martin O’Neill and myself, nor Brian Kerr," Keane said.
