eleven-a-side.com Stephen Kenny, deemed the man most likely to replace Brian Kerr as Ireland’s underage supremo, will be asked to honour his contract with Bohemians.
However, speculation is growing that he will be appointed to the Irish youth position in the near future.
Former Longford Town boss Kenny has just completed his first full season at Bohs, leading the Gypsies to a convincing eircom League Premier Division title, and as one of the most highly-respected young managers in the game, is considered the favourite to step into Kerr’s shoes at underage international level.
The first task to be faced by the new youth teams boss will be to lead the under-20s in the World Youth Cup, which begins in March in the United Arab Emirates, where the side won a preparation tournament last week.
Kenny, Sligo Rovers boss Don O’Riordan, Sean McCaffrey and Kerr’s normal assistant Noel O’Reilly have all been linked with the job, although O’Reilly would only be expected to carry out the role on a part-time basis until a full-time replacement for Kerr is found.
A Bohs spokesman has been quoted as saying: “Stephen is very marketable because he has done a fantastic job, but he is contracted to us. We’re all planning for next season and Stephen seems quite happy.”
But Kenny is expected to be keen to continue his steep upward graph by taking the reins of the Irish underage sides, and could make the move into international management ahead of the World Youth Cup finals in two months’ time.
