Stephen Kenny

[Fixer82]

The rebel songs were played in O’Neill’s reign too I believe. It was brought back after Trap left.
So some of these players would’ve played in that environment already.

Who’s the informer? Weed out the rat!

[Trequartista20]

It's political correctness gawn maaaad, as Kelvin McKenzie might say.

[elatedscum]

Weirdly, James McClean had the west brom team bus playing the Wolfe Tones regularly on the way to matches...

*actually could have been Paul McShane, gonna try figure it out

[elatedscum]

Yep, McShane:

“I’m a massive Wolfe Tones and Dubliners fan, so whenever I can, I stick ‘em on in the team bus,” he says relaxing after a three-hour training session. “The lads gave me a bit of stick about it at first, but now I’ve got them singing along!”

[seanfhear]

<MOD EDIT - removed quote of deleted post>

Who cares what the English FA think? As for worrying or even caring what english fans on twitter are saying, that's just stupid.

If the FAI make any decision based on what the English FA think they're more incompetent than anyone could have believed.

I'd be more concerned about the rat in the FAI who sold Kenny down the river when he/she leaked the story to the press. That would be what I'd investigate.
Who was the Informer and why did this have to be Informed to the Papers ~ ~ A quiet word to the FAI and another quiet word to Kenny would have been more than enough.

[TonyD]

Not directly comparable but i always felt he delayed subs too long at Dundalk, difference being that he usually had a result in the bag at Dundalk. V Bulgaria he showed that the run without goals (and probably wins) were getting to him and treated the game with a lot more importance on that than squad development type stuff. Byrne could have been the difference in unlocking the Bulgarian defence but Kenny seemed to be erring on the side of caution and not create another stick with relegation - which wouldnt have been the worst thing at this time when pot 2 was gone.

You’re probably right, and to be honest it’s hard not to sympathise with his caution. Can you imagine the reaction if we had lost the game, it’s bad enough having drawn it. I would hate to see the plug being pulled on h8m at such an early stage, and with the amount of players he lost, particularly for the Bulgaria match. It was never going to be an easy task with the squad he’s inherited. We have some players of promise coming through, but that will take a couple of years at least I think. The most important game we’ve played under Kenny was Slovakia, and to be honest I thought we did pretty well there and could/probably should have won the game. He needs to be given a proper chance. People calling for his head now are the ones who never wanted him in the first place, purely because he comes from our own league, which I think is quite sad. Now they are rushing to say “Told you so”.

[da bishop]

This should be a non story[its only a few years ago since the Fai put the 1916 slogan on the jersey so they should be putting it to bed quickly]the fact that it is is down player/staff breaching dressingroom values and a few delighted press core who will revel in it.Kenny needs to sort out the dressingroom coward...the Fai need to call it as it is and stand fully behind their man.

[wonder88]

Wasn't the statement from the FAI, "a matter of urgency" a very loaded one. Add to that who the statement was given to. It is clear there are some employed within that organisation who want the manager out.
Kenny must be given a proper chance. Remember Ireland lost on penalties away to Slovakia. Hopefully this plot backfires and those involved will be got rid of from the national set up.

[Fixer82]

Wasn't the statement from the FAI, "a matter of urgency" a very loaded one. Add to that who the statement was given to. It is clear there are some employed within that organisation who want the manager out.
Kenny must be given a proper chance. Remember Ireland lost on penalties away to Slovakia. Hopefully this plot backfires and those involved will be got rid of from the national set up.

Totally agree. The FAI have not helped in how they’ve reacted to this. They haven’t played it down at all

[John83]

I don't know about that. I'm no media relations guru, but I think they'd be advised in these situations to present exactly this kind of professional, non-committal kind of "we take this kind of accusation very seriously and are investigating carefully" kind of line. If the press coverage falls off they can just quietly drop it, and if it escalates they're in a position to act without being accused of having originally ignored or downplayed it. Downplaying it, in contrast, gives the papers something more to write about. I don't think the FAI reaction is really telling us anything at all.

[John83]

Here's an article that sorts Premiership sides by minutes played by U21 players: https://www.football365.com/news/ranking-every-premier-league-club-u-21-minutes-foden-greenwood

It's nice to see a few names for us there: O'Shea, Connelly, Smallbone, and Obafemi all feature.

[tommy_c12000]

A non story.

A few friendly games completed, a new playing style instigated, and a few youngsters bled in. O’Shea, Knight, Molumby the most promising. A lot of work for Idah to do. Manning was poor, clearly short on match practice. Frustrating to watch yes, but it’s a long road ahead.

Next step is for our players to produce the goods between now and March. I’m actually looking forward to the weekend again. Troy should be finally making his debut vs Cardiff. It will be exciting to watch who can continue to establish themselves over the next 4 months

[Stuttgart88]

Examiner saying that the video is fine but that the speech after it was what made people uncomfortable.

https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/soccer/arid-40086626.html

So the goalposts seem to be moving. The great irony of course is the Daily Mail as the paper to go to. The paper who constantly posted anti Irish drivel during the Brexit discussions and referred to “Lenny Verruca, the pipsqueek prime minister”.

Racist rag who supported the Nazis in the late 30s.

Makes me wonder if the speech even referred to Brexit and the disregard for the GFA. That’s what I’d have used myself!

[Exgrad]

That is interesting. So can probably assume video is harmless, and its likely to come out at some point. Second thing, whoever has made the initial complaint is still complaining, and leaking. One of the oldest rules in football management, you have entirely your own people around you. Shows what can happen when you don't.

[Diggs246]

If kenny said anything pro IRA. He should be sacked today. I hope not I really do. But he he said " up the ra"or the like its something that cant be excused

[Stuttgart88]

I'd agree with that, but if that's what he is supposed to have said it'd be hard to see why the FAI seemed to think his explanation was satisfactory.

[Diggs246]

I'd agree with that, but if that's what he is supposed to have said it'd be hard to see why the FAI seemed to think his explanation was satisfactory.

Is it not a case that he has only meet Owen's? And the board is yet to meet ?

[Stuttgart88]

Yes, you're right. But the article says this (based on what, who knows?):

"There is no question of Kenny’s being subject to stern disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal..." which would seem to rule out anything RA related, though with the FAI you'd rule nothing out.

[Diggs246]

My fear is just coming from a rumour that one of the players that was v upset was Randolph( I've zero proof) but 2 people have said it to me( also providing me with zero proof) let's just say it wouldn't stand up in court. Randolph doesn't come across as someone who would get up set easily

[Exgrad]

If kenny said anything pro IRA. He should be sacked today. I hope not I really do. But he he said " up the ra"or the like its something that cant be excused

There is zero evidence he said anything of the sort, you're just speculating wildly based on nothing. Its pointless to invent things like this. Why would you think he would be that stupid?

[Stuttgart88]

My fear is just coming from a rumour that one of the players that was v upset was Randolph( I've zero proof) but 2 people have said it to me( also providing me with zero proof) let's just say it wouldn't stand up in court. Randolph doesn't come across as someone who would get up set easilyBelfast Telegraph ran a story yesterday that Randolph was set to retire, then withdrew the story.

There are two themes here: goalkeepers & hard right British media! (BT is seen as a loyalist leaning paper, yes?)

[Stuttgart88]

There is zero evidence he said anything of the sort, you're just speculating wildly based on nothing. Its pointless to invent things like this. Why would you think he would be that stupid?It is speculation but it's hard to see many other things that'd arouse such strong feelings or objections. But yes, good idea to stop speculating.

[Diggs246]

There is zero evidence he said anything of the sort, you're just speculating wildly based on nothing. Its pointless to invent things like this. Why would you think he would be that stupid?

It's a fear more then anything. It's just Darren is from bray and tobe upset to the point of retiring I think what was said was more then let's get these *******s. But your right its ridiculous speculation

[passinginterest]

I’m wondering if the goalkeeper coach and the senior goalkeeper are the ones upset, if this might not be more about Kenny’s efforts to play out from the back?

Alan Kelly was an old school keeper, something tells me he’s not a fan of the modern sweeper keeper and wouldn’t be particularly adept at training keepers in that style (pure speculation obviously), Randolph obviously isn’t comfortable playing that style either, he’s probably well aware his future in a team playing that way is in doubt too.

It would be sad if that’s what’s happening but things are starting to point in that direction.

[pineapple stu]

That would be seriously concerning if it were the case. What Kenny's trying to do with the keepers is nothing new at all (even UCD are giving it a go)

If there's a bit of a revolt over switching to a more modern style of play, and if it succeeds, then we're kind of doomed to keep playing the same old crap.

[Diggs246]

I met alan kelly in 2002 wc. I found him to be nice but very stupid

[seanfhear]

I’m wondering if the goalkeeper coach and the senior goalkeeper are the ones upset, if this might not be more about Kenny’s efforts to play out from the back?

Alan Kelly was an old school keeper, something tells me he’s not a fan of the modern sweeper keeper and wouldn’t be particularly adept at training keepers in that style (pure speculation obviously), Randolph obviously isn’t comfortable playing that style either, he’s probably well aware his future in a team playing that way is in doubt too.

It would be sad if that’s what’s happening but things are starting to point in that direction.
The Security Implications of Randolph and Duffy playing out from the back are serious = = its accidents waiting to happen.

[seanfhear]

I met alan kelly in 2002 wc. I found him to be nice but very stupid
Was Alan Kelly brought up in Blighty ? ?

[Stuttgart88]

Getting messy now:

https://extra.ie/2020/11/21/sport/soccernews/ireland-players-doubts-stephen-kenny

[pineapple stu]

Yeah, it does sound like a bit of unrest if these stories are getting out.

But like, how much of a story - really - is this:


Extra.ie understands there was a second incident ahead of the England friendly which startled players. At a meeting in the team hotel, Kenny is understood to have raised his voice and started shouting in front of astonished players.

It still sounds like mountain out of molehill stuff, but the fact it's getting into the press is the concern. This sort of stuff should be dealt with internally.

[sbgawa]

The FAI cant throw the manager out because some of the players dont like the way they are playing or because he "shouted" at them FFS.
Or at least not before letting him play a half dozen games with a full panel.

[passinginterest]

It’s bizarre that raising his voice and shouting could even be vaguely seen as a problem. I said I though he persisted with Duffy and Randolph out of fear of losing the senior players. It seems the dropping of Coleman and cutting adrift of Long might have already upset the apple cart.

The upside might be it gives him carte Blanche to completely overhaul things and just leave out those who don’t have his back. The squad come March might be very telling.

[Stuttgart88]

Yeah, it does sound like a bit of unrest if these stories are getting out.

But like, how much of a story - really - is this:



It still sounds like mountain out of molehill stuff, but the fact it's getting into the press is the concern. This sort of stuff should be dealt with internally.on face value yes, but these "losing the players" slow drips to the press almost always only go in one direction. But you can only make an assessment based on facts and we don't know many of those yet.

[pineapple stu]

on face value yes, but these "losing the players" slow drips to the press almost always only go in one direction.
Yeah, that's exactly my thinking alright, especially as Kenny doesn't have much in the way of results to keep the sharks at bay.

[NeverFeltBetter]

It's a narrative-driven dog-pile. Next will be the Sunday op-eds about "losing the dressing room" and painting Kenny's reign as a sunk cost already. I suspect some "anonymous sources" will start making additional trouble then.

We've seen this all before in plenty of nations and clubs.

[Bielsa´s irish]

I think he may have lost the dressing room. Coleman out, Shane Long strange things happened

[seanfhear]

Is it in South-Park that they are always Killing Kenny ?

[John83]

Is it in South-Park that they are always Killing Kenny ?
Yeah.
https://media1.giphy.com/media/3o6ZsYrgqN58AHxros/giphy.gif

[seanfhear]

Yeah.
https://media1.giphy.com/media/3o6ZsYrgqN58AHxros/giphy.gif

Our Kenny does not deserve it yet anyway !

[elatedscum]

James McClean has come out calling it gutter journalism. He posted an image of an article which said that himself, Robbie Brady, shane duffy and Darren Randolph were uneasy.

The article said there was a big deal made of Seamus Coleman doing a press conference before the first game in September. That an irish player “of that stature” had never been asked to do a press conference knowing they weren’t going to be starting. “The humiliation suffered by Coleman went down like a lead balloon”.

It’s such bull****. He’s the captain. It’s the first game in charge. It makes total sense that he’d do the press conference before the start of the campaign. I genuinely remember Cyrus Christie doing a press conference before a game and not playing at all.

Can’t imagine anyone took issue with it... it’s just an orchestrated campaign by someone to undermine Stephen. After the indo piece, then there was the Belfast telegraph deleted article about Randolph (Belfast telegraph is also owned by the indo). Sick stuff...

[pineapple stu]

Enda Stevens also rallying around Kenny, saying he's disappointed the story got leaked in the first place (https://www.balls.ie/football/james-mcclean-bemoans-tout-as-england-video-fallout-continues-454397). That's encouraging to see.

[tetsujin1979]

Stevens comments come from this story on the Irish Times: https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/international/fai-talks-with-stephen-kenny-over-video-said-to-have-gone-well-1.4414871?mode=amp

[Diggs246]

https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.rte.ie/amp/1179658/

[Bielsa´s irish]

But Seamus Coleman is the player everybody is waiting for to speak up

[Bielsa´s irish]

he is the squad skipper

[NeverFeltBetter]

https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.rte.ie/amp/1179658/

Does anyone know what FAI officials would have been present?

[Bielsa´s irish]

Alan Kell is not the mole, kudos and plaudits to his reputation,
top goalkeeper, should have played more in premier league. Loyal servant

[da bishop]

Imagine that ,a manager shouting at his players .....and .....some of the babies cant take it ,so we will inform a journo and show that brute whose boss.

[tetsujin1979]

original statement on twitter here
1330192688902266881

[pineapple stu]

Am I reading too much into things that he didn't say "There was nothing wrong with the video"?