Stephen Kenny

[Jd2793]

Looks like a tough draw but when you look back, the top 2 are no better than who we got in the last euro draw. France and the Netherlands got knocked out in the round of 16 games at Euro 2020 while Switzerland got knocked out on penalties by Spain in the quarter finals after knocking out France. Denmark made it to the semi finals. We came close to qualifying with them two. Greece is a tough 4th seed but they could take points off the top 2.

are you serious

[BOOMSHAKALAKA]

are you serious

What part of my post is untrue?

[liamoo11]

bore off will ya. its not some conspiracy at all. it is a FACT that the draw has nailed us against two of europes strongest teams. kenny wont be kept on if he doesnt get us to the euros. people acknowledging the fact we've been harshly done in the draw doesnt mean they want him kept on past 2024

I wouldn't be convinced he needs to get us to the euros now to keep his job. I think that draw today gives him a very good chance of been kept on evening we don't qualify

[Eirambler]

Kenny's results got us into this mess, so he needs to own it now and cut the excuses. He was given a great chance to get us to Euro 2020 via a handy playoff draw and blew it, two really decent Nations League draws and made a mess of those too and all that combined landed us where we find ourselves now.

I'd lean the other way actually. Is there any point even keeping him on for the Euros now, as we clearly don't have a chance of qualifying from the group? Surely it would be worthwhile to get someone better in now who would get a free pass for this campaign and hopefully we can actually start to take advantage of the talent we have coming through for next time around, rather than seeing it all being wasted campaign after campaign by Kenny?

[Jd2793]

Kenny's results got us into this mess, so he needs to own it now and cut the excuses. He was given a great chance to get us to Euro 2020 via a handy playoff draw and blew it, two really decent Nations League draws and made a mess of those too and all that combined landed us where we find ourselves now.

I'd lean the other way actually. Is there any point even keeping him on for the Euros now, as we clearly don't have a chance of qualifying from the group? Surely it would be worthwhile to get someone better in now who would get a free pass for this campaign and hopefully we can actually start to take advantage of the talent we have coming through for next time around, rather than seeing it all being wasted campaign after campaign by Kenny?

laughable nonsense. how did he blow the euro playoff? was he at fault for the two sitters missed by our players? as a matter of interest when was the last time ireland were 2nd seeds in a draw?

[JR89]

laughable nonsense. how did he blow the euro playoff? was he at fault for the two sitters missed by our players? as a matter of interest when was the last time ireland were 2nd seeds in a draw?

Euro 2016 and we finished third in the group needing a play off because of the extended Euros to qualify.

[JR89]

I wouldn't be convinced he needs to get us to the euros now to keep his job. I think that draw today gives him a very good chance of been kept on evening we don't qualify

Can only see that happening if we beat Greece home and away with performances against France and Holland.

There's about as much chance of him staying on post Euro 2024 without qualifying as the FAI doing what Scotland did and replacing him before the qualifiers are even over with any new potential manager getting a few games before any potential Euro 2024 play off.

[passinginterest]

I'd say it's about 80/20, go/stay, with that draw. There's less expectation with two very hard top seeds, but if the fixtures are not great and it starts with a heavy loss away to one of the top two and a home draw with Greece I think that might be it, don't think he even sees out the group. Middling early results but struggling to finish ahead.of Greecw will probably get him to the end of the group but that will be that. 80% chance one of above is the case in my book.

Alternatively, could still finish third but put in good displays against the big two, pick up a couple of credible results, see off Greece and Gibraltar with no fuss and then he's still in a reasonable position to stay on. And obviously direct qualification will mean he's going nowhere (other than maybe being poached by a high level club somewhere!).

[Eirambler]

laughable nonsense. how did he blow the euro playoff? was he at fault for the two sitters missed by our players? as a matter of interest when was the last time ireland were 2nd seeds in a draw?

Well, for starters, he made the same mistake he made last week against Armenia in that he somehow thought it was a good idea to have Conor Hourihane on the park. But ultimately these things come down to wider issues, we weren't set up correctly that night against a poor Slovakia team missing players, the formation, style of play, everything was wrong. And we missed a great chance to qualify for the Euros as a result.

Back to the present day and I could see a few bad results bringing an early end for him in this campaign. He could well be gone by the summer, as we're unlikely to have any real say in this group by then. And on that basis what is the point in him still being there at that stage?

The negative side of it is that, with this draw, no result will be bad enough to justify his sacking for some of the pro Kenny crowd. But, for any objective viewer, I think enough will be enough before too long.

[weldoninhio]

Time for Kenny to go. His terrible nations league campaigns have gotten us to this point. Let a proper manager have the Euro campaign to bed in and get his ideas across. Kenny can head off to Bohs or something.

[BOOMSHAKALAKA]

It would be a good time to get rid of Kenny. Give a new, competent manager time to set in their ideas in the friendlies and then give it a good go in March. These players coming through are our best batch in a long time. The introduction to their Ireland careers hasn't been good. They've joined a set up with an awful record. Suffering more defeats and humiliation may set in a losers mentality that could last long term.

[SkStu]

How can anyone not want the best for this man?

1579100971686305797

[BOOMSHAKALAKA]

How can anyone not want the best for this man?

1579100971686305797

Everyone wants the best for him! But also everyone wants the best for our players. Clearly he isn't capable of managing at this level and he's doing serious damage. What's best for everyone is that Kenny takes up a roll with the underage teams or in a development roll and our current players get a new manager and set up that can get the best out of them.

[SkStu]

I might have bought that if the knives hadn?t been drawn so early.

[BOOMSHAKALAKA]

I might have bought that if the knives hadn?t been drawn so early.

Sometimes it's obvious when someone is out of their depth. For example, Steve Staunton. A legend as a player. Who didn't want him to do well? But he only had 17 games in charge. Why was that? The results were horrendous. He had to go. Obviously this was nothing personal against Steve, he just wasn't capable. It's the same with the current Steve. It's not personal, he just has to go.

[zero]

I'd suggest that SK is secretly delighted by this draw. No expectations now so he can focus on trying to finish third in the group. That in itself won't be easy but I'm quite certain he would consider that success.

[BOOMSHAKALAKA]

I'd suggest that SK is secretly delighted by this draw. No expectations now so he can focus on trying to finish third in the group. That in itself won't be easy but I'm quite certain he would consider that success.

I think you're right. The excuses are ready made for this group. It started out with covid being used as an excuse, then after losing to Luxembourg it was all about building for 2024, when we came nowhere in the recent nations league it was because the players aren't any good. It just goes on.

[Eirambler]

How can anyone not want the best for this man?

1579100971686305797

A bit presumptuous saying he's looking forward to France, Netherlands and Greece home and away, no? Little to suggest at this point that he'll be sticking around for all of those games.


I'd suggest that SK is secretly delighted by this draw. No expectations now so he can focus on trying to finish third in the group. That in itself won't be easy but I'm quite certain he would consider that success.

The Greece draw has kind of blown that for him. France, Netherlands and a rubbish fourth seed would have given merit to that argument, but I've seen little to suggest he will even manage to get us ahead of Greece in this group. Though I suppose he can always pull out the "we knew it didn't matter, it's all about the playoffs/World Cup/Euro 2032" card at that point...

By the way, had to laugh at the FAI guy spouting on about the upward curve of the team or whatever he said - he must have been asleep during the Armenia game last week!

[zero]

i wouldn't be too surprised if we don't take 6 points off Gibraltar, if Kenny remains in charge. surely even the most ardent kennyite would give up the ghost at that point.

no?

[seanfhear]

i wouldn't be too surprised if we don't take 6 points off Gibraltar, if Kenny remains in charge. surely even the most ardent kennyite would give up the ghost at that point.

no?
That would be the rock to call it quits on alright ! !

[SkStu]

A bit presumptuous saying he's looking forward to France, Netherlands and Greece home and away, no? Little to suggest at this point that he'll be sticking around for all of those games.

His contract would be enough to suggest it.

[Real ale Madrid]

i wouldn't be too surprised if we don't take 6 points off Gibraltar, if Kenny remains in charge. surely even the most ardent kennyite would give up the ghost at that point.

no?

No, if we lose to Gibraltar - expect unanimous support.

[paul_oshea]

How can anyone not want the best for this man?



I actually thought whilst watching that he wasn't as enthusiastic or as confident as he has been in the past regardless of who we faced. I feel like he's lost a bit of his belief in himself and the team and just being able to get results. Could well be reading too much into it but its not like his previous interviews. I'm not sure which thread it was on but someone mentioned, and kenny himself, doing well against the bigger sides that's another misnomer we picked up 2 points of a possible 12 from the last two higher seeded teams for WC qualification. Its not on a par with previous regimes(even McCarthy managed 3 in his second coming) than previous regimes and in no way is that good enough or anywhere near enough to get 2nd(possible even 3rd in this group).

I have always really liked and still do like Kenny and thought initially he did a great job at Dundalk( Cyprus away and another couple of performances had me wondering about him), I just find the media hypocrisy is a bit silly at this stage. It's almost like the Bank Job.

[Real ale Madrid]

Draw v FRA & NED at home
Lose to both away.
4 wins v Greece and Gibraltar
14 points.
Miss out on 2nd and miss out on playoff.

It would be good if the FAI had some foresight at that stage and give SK the job for 2026 also. Lead an experienced squad to the USA.

[TonyD]

I think you're right. The excuses are ready made for this group. It started out with covid being used as an excuse, then after losing to Luxembourg it was all about building for 2024, when we came nowhere in the recent nations league it was because the players aren't any good. It just goes on.

Ha. Meanwhile you?re busy talking down France and Netherlands, no doubt preparing the ground for a fresh chorus of Kenny out when we don?t finish in the top two ahead of two of the best teams in Europe.

[BOOMSHAKALAKA]

Ha. Meanwhile you?re busy talking down France and Netherlands, no doubt preparing the ground for a fresh chorus of Kenny out when we don?t finish in the top two ahead of two of the best teams in Europe.

Do you know we've lost to Luxembourg, Armenia and have had a whole host of embarrassing results under Kenny? Come near the bottom of every group? It's not some conspiracy against him, he's actually been a woeful manager.

[ontheotherhand]

Ha. Meanwhile you?re busy talking down France and Netherlands, no doubt preparing the ground for a fresh chorus of Kenny out when we don?t finish in the top two ahead of two of the best teams in Europe.

Ignore and move on Tony. I speak from experience. 😅

[tetsujin1979]

Yes, as explained above. That happens. Every manager has to deal with it. The majority of Kenny's squad were between 27 and 29 though and really not much different to what McCarthy had a year earlier.
Average age of the starting XI under Mick McCarthy: All games: 28.65, Competitive: 29.48
Average age of the starting XI under Stephen Kenny: All games: 26.78, Competitive: 26.75

[Jd2793]

Well, for starters, he made the same mistake he made last week against Armenia in that he somehow thought it was a good idea to have Conor Hourihane on the park. But ultimately these things come down to wider issues, we weren't set up correctly that night against a poor Slovakia team missing players, the formation, style of play, everything was wrong. And we missed a great chance to qualify for the Euros as a result.

Back to the present day and I could see a few bad results bringing an early end for him in this campaign. He could well be gone by the summer, as we're unlikely to have any real say in this group by then. And on that basis what is the point in him still being there at that stage?

The negative side of it is that, with this draw, no result will be bad enough to justify his sacking for some of the pro Kenny crowd. But, for any objective viewer, I think enough will be enough before too long.


hourihane started every game in that campaign. he was some bit useful 2.5 year ago , not useful at all today though. bizarre to be blaming kenny for playing him then


"no result will be bad enough to justify his sacking" but it will though. if we get tonked 3/4-0 by france or holland it'll be enough to see him gone. then you might be happy

[Eirambler]

hourihane started every game in that campaign. he was some bit useful 2.5 year ago , not useful at all today though. bizarre to be blaming kenny for playing him then


"no result will be bad enough to justify his sacking" but it will though. if we get tonked 3/4-0 by france or holland it'll be enough to see him gone. then you might be happy

Hourihane was useless then and he's useless now. While I lost any remaining hope for Kenny ever doing anything as manager following the second Armenia debacle, I will never wish for the team to lose games. But at the same time I know we won't qualify for a tournament - short of auto qualifying as hosts - until he's gone.

[TonyD]

Do you know we've lost to Luxembourg, Armenia and have had a whole host of embarrassing results under Kenny? Come near the bottom of every group? It's not some conspiracy against him, he's actually been a woeful manager.

Nice dodge.

[TonyD]

Ignore and move on Tony. I speak from experience. 😅

;) Yeah, I should know better.

[BOOMSHAKALAKA]

Average age of the starting XI under Mick McCarthy: All games: 28.65, Competitive: 29.48
Average age of the starting XI under Stephen Kenny: All games: 26.78, Competitive: 26.75

I wasn't talking about Kenny's whole term. Things changed after Luxembourg when it was all about building for 2024 because we were eliminated. McCarthy's last game in charge had a team with an average age of 28.7. That was with Glenn Whelan. Kenny's team for the playoff game v Slovakia had an average age of 29.10, with no Whelan.

[BOOMSHAKALAKA]

Nice dodge.

No dodge. He's been criticised because he's been an awful manager for Ireland, it's that simple. Why shouldn't we compete with any team to qualify for major tournaments? In the recent past we've nearly always been competitive in qualification groups and when we haven't been, the manager has got fired. Kenny is extremely lucky to survive this far.

[tetsujin1979]

I wasn't talking about Kenny's whole term. Things changed after Luxembourg when it was all about building for 2024 because we were eliminated. McCarthy's last game in charge had a team with an average age of 28.7. That was with Glenn Whelan. Kenny's team for the playoff game v Slovakia had an average age of 29.10, with no Whelan.
The average age against Denmark was 29.47. The average age against Slovakia was 29.76, and you're ignoring that we played two games (both competitive) between Denmark and Slovakia, with an average of 27.46(v Bulgaria) and 26.78(v Finland)

[BOOMSHAKALAKA]

The average age against Denmark was 29.47. The average age against Slovakia was 29.76, and you're ignoring that we played two games (both competitive) between Denmark and Slovakia, with an average of 27.46(v Bulgaria) and 26.78(v Finland)

I'm just doing quick calculations, basically taking there ages now and taking away 2 but you get the point. There wasn't much difference between McCarthys team and Kenny's for the first 10 games at least. Take Glenn Whelan out and swap him with a 20 year old and it turns it into a low 28 year old team? Look at the line ups, that was the main difference.

[liamoo11]

https://www.the42.ie/will-smallbone-3-5889743-Oct2022/ really idiotic comments on hodge here from kenny. Always strikes me as wanting to show everyone he is the most knowledgeable in the room so has to bring Ronan into the conversation in a way that comes across as belittling hodge

[Diggs246]

He's a fool. Asked about Joe Hodge and basically says he prefers Conor Ronan

[irishfan86]

I have no issue with him hyping up Ronan but in that context it's really disappointing. Why not say something along the lines of -- "it's great to see a young Irish player make his premier league debut. I will be monitoring his progress closely and if he continues to feature, I'm open minded about fast tracking him into my senior setup."

Give Hodge a boost, let him know he is being tracked -- and that there's a path to a senior breakthrough.

I really don't understand why Kenny would be so casual given the players at his disposal have really struggled at stages during the Nations League campaign.

[geysir]

I'd be more concerned about the merits of playing Malta in preparation for the campaign.

[BOOMSHAKALAKA]

Ah lads, we can't leave this fella in charge. I'd say Southgate will be straight onto Hodge with those comments in hand.

[Jd2793]

Ah lads, we can't leave this fella in charge. I'd say Southgate will be straight onto Hodge with those comments in hand.

easy to know you are trolling now. hodge wouldnt make their 21 squad not to mind the seniors.

[seanfhear]

https://www.the42.ie/will-smallbone-3-5889743-Oct2022/ really idiotic comments on hodge here from kenny. Always strikes me as wanting to show everyone he is the most knowledgeable in the room so has to bring Ronan into the conversation in a way that comes across as belittling hodge
Is Kenny casting doubt on Hodge?s long term Irish future there ? Does Kenny know something the rest of us don?t know ?

[passinginterest]

It's poorly phrased, assuming the qoute is accurate. I'd imagine what he's getting at is Ronan is older, has been involved in his squads and has much more senior football experience. As such, he'd be much easier to bring directly into the team/squad immediately.

I've no doubt if Hodge keeps getting significant playing time Kenny will bring him straight in, but chances are this was a one off and he'll be bench warming with Ronan until the loan window opens. After which, Ronan is the more likely to get a loan and start playing senior football again and to be a viable squad option. Hodge is much more likely to bench warm and play 21s for Wolves.

[BOOMSHAKALAKA]

easy to know you are trolling now. hodge wouldnt make their 21 squad not to mind the seniors.

Am yeah, it would be no use to Southgate to go after him in a few years would it? That's if he fulfills his potential. The same as he's gone after other players for England who qualified for other countries.

[liamoo11]

Is Kenny casting doubt on Hodge?s long term Irish future there ? Does Kenny know something the rest of us don?t know ?

Well if he is about to switch why would he have bothered been in with the 20s at the end of last season with the ludicrous game against the amateur irish side then come back for that 21s stretch of fixtures in June where he saw no game time and then show back up again in September? He doesn't need the Irish set up for his career he has his 3 year deal at wolves and he is coming back from year out injured be much easier to stay at wolves and use international breaks to make impression in first team training.

Also if he is switching he should tell his dad so he can stop tweeting shamrock and tricolour emoji s and been supportive of Irish football

[liamoo11]

It's poorly phrased, assuming the qoute is accurate. I'd imagine what he's getting at is Ronan is older, has been involved in his squads and has much more senior football experience. As such, he'd be much easier to bring directly into the team/squad immediately.

I've no doubt if Hodge keeps getting significant playing time Kenny will bring him straight in, but chances are this was a one off and he'll be bench warming with Ronan until the loan window opens. After which, Ronan is the more likely to get a loan and start playing senior football again and to be a viable squad option. Hodge is much more likely to bench warm and play 21s for Wolves.

I I'm surprised he didn't say he wished it was nathan Fraser who was involved as he was hoping for a centre forward to come through

[paul_oshea]

https://www.the42.ie/will-smallbone-3-5889743-Oct2022/ really idiotic comments on hodge here from kenny. Always strikes me as wanting to show everyone he is the most knowledgeable in the room so has to bring Ronan into the conversation in a way that comes across as belittling hodge

I don't think it's that bad but if Ronan is as good as he says why hasn't he been involved more often, his comments don't match his actions

He could have been a bit more inclusive when it comes to Hodge but I think he's saying here the focus is getting the current squad ready for the euro campaign. Again that's fair enough but I'd be worried that he thinks the players he's been picking have been doing as well as he always keeps saying we've done.

[elatedscum]

Regarding Ronan - he was one of their best players in pre-season and after the season began but before the window closed, they bought Mateus Nunes. It basically pushed Ronan down the pecking order.

It?s tough for him because he may well be good enough to make it at a premier league side - and it was a now or never season. If he goes down a division, it?ll be a while before he gets back, if ever. I can totally see why, when wolves wanted him to stay, he was happy to try stick it out

As for Hodge, previously Kenny spoke about him being a guy they were keeping an eye on and someone who could be fast tracked. Personally, I don?t think he looks quite the same since the injury. He?s a little more wooden in his movements. Cracking prospect, but I feel like he had the potential, before the injury, to be a genuinely world class player (ala Declan Rice, Jack Grealish) and now it?s more like Josh Cullen?s level?

Someone mentioned his dad, met him when Joe was playing for the 17s. Genuinely one of the nicest lads you?ll ever meet.

[third policeman]

Hodge made a highly impressive debut on Saturday in the PL. I don't think Cullen ever made a PL appearance, so there is some evidence that he might make it to a higher level. I'll concede that it's not a huge amount to go on, but neither would I write him off as being a Cullen-level player (Though Josh is our best midfielder at the minute). Kenny's remarks are indicative of a peculiar conservatism or stubbornness. If he's saying that he will be relying on the existing squad for the next campaign, rather than looking to bring in promising talent that like Hodge, then he is likely condemning us to another failed campaign. Do we persist with Hourihane and Hendrick rather than giving Hodge an opportunity, even if Hodge continues to progress and get minutes? I like Ronan. but again does it make sense to suggest he's ahead of Hodge simply because he is older and has played more senior football at a lower level? Wales have shown the way in blooding and integrating young players who may not have a great deal of experience but are perceived to have the talent and potential to become international quality players. Kenny's approach has been much more haphazard, bringing in some young players (especially in forward positions where he had little option) but being too slow to promote to the young players who are actually showing the most promise and quality (Collins and Obafemi). If there is any consistent principle guiding his selection, it seems to be making decisions about players and then stubbornly sticking to them.