Stephen Kenny

**JR89** · 09/02/2022, 1:29 PM

City probably wouldn't let Murphy double job. Think that's one of the main reasons Carsley left Man City. Returned to Birmingham because they didn't mind him working with the FA and both jobs were closer to home for him so got to spend more time with his family.

Wouldn't say Carsley would fancy coming in to work with us either as he's got a handy job with the English U21s. Definitely should be someone to keep tabs on and would be working with lads who are dual national. But what's his relationship gonna be like with the FAI after they blew him off the last time he approached them.

**ontheotherhand** · 09/02/2022, 3:22 PM

Originally Posted by tetsujin1979

Had Kenny worked with Stephen Rice before he was appointed as opposition analyst?
I've no problem who someone has worked with previously, as long as they're the right person for the job

Wouldn't be too surprised to see Rice's name being thrown in the hat to take over from Barry. Young, modern thinking coach who seems ambitious and well regarded. Nowhere near the level Barry was at when he joined but I don't think there are many at that level who would join. Barry was a coup. I think anyone who replaces him might seem underwhelming at first but....so was Barry to a lot of people. Surprised Higgins hasn't been mentioned but personally I'm hoping Kenny has another ace up his sleeve who operates at close to Barry's level at least and that would rule out Rice and Higgins. Barry's appt did at least show that the football world is more connected than it looks sometimes and Kenny isn't operating outside of it. Who knows who else he can wrangle in?

**tetsujin1979** · 09/02/2022, 5:07 PM

I've noticed that former U19 player Travis Binnion is coaching the Manchester United U23s, could be another option

**BOOMSHAKALAKA** · 09/02/2022, 6:36 PM

Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin

I hate to break it to you but every manager brings in people in to assist with coaching.

Not every manager brings in people to take over organising their team though.

**BOOMSHAKALAKA** · 09/02/2022, 6:37 PM

Originally Posted by Supreme feet

I think it's encouraging that Kenny seems to be (a) ambitious and proactive when it comes to selecting his backroom staff, and not just choosing a 'big name' or one of his mates, and (b) actually humble enough to listen to and act on suggestions and advice from his coaches (e.g. changing to a back 3).

McCarthy just picked his mates, Ian Evans and then Robbie Keane/Terry Connor, who wouldn't have challenged him on anything or made him think outside the box. Trap picked Tardelli and Brady, who were possibly too in awe of him to challenge him and talk him out of his more bizarre, egotistical decisions (I can't see how Brady would have agreed with Andy Reid's banishment). MON picked Roy, which was always going to end badly. Staunton, in his wisdom, picked Kevin McDonald, who was known for bullying young players when he was at Villa.

Kerr's choice of Chris Hughton would have seemed like the outlier, but I've often thought that Hughton may have brought too much old-school British conservatism into the setup, which reflected in some of the more regressive selections and tactics.

Kenny's reign has been a complete disaster compared to all those you mentioned. Even worse that Kerr's and Staunton's.

**geysir** · 09/02/2022, 9:57 PM

Kenny brought Barry into the coaching team in the first place, I take it that he already knows where the bar lies for the standard and personality of coach that's needed for the senior team .

Barry sounds like the proverbial floating voter to me.

**nigel-harps1954** · 10/02/2022, 12:18 AM

Originally Posted by BOOMSHAKALAKA

Kenny's reign has been a complete disaster compared to all those you mentioned. Even worse that Kerr's and Staunton's.

We get it. You don't like Stephen Kenny..

**Snapshot** · 10/02/2022, 1:37 AM

Originally Posted by BOOMSHAKALAKA

Kenny's reign has been a complete disaster compared to all those you mentioned. Even worse that Kerr's and Staunton's.

Originally Posted by nigel-harps1954

We get it. You don't like Stephen Kenny..

Or maybe he just finds Stephen Kenny's record unlikeable. Two competitive wins in fifteen (against lightweights) is a creative take on progress. The FAI will not tolerate a similarly unlikeable Nations League campaign that augurs badly for the Euros. Two poor opening NL results and Kenny will also get it.

**pineapple stu** · 10/02/2022, 6:36 AM

Given we've four Nations League games in a week, he's unlikely to be sacked midway through that run in fairness.

**ifk101** · 10/02/2022, 8:36 AM

No need to sack when his contract ends in July. Not sure why the hold up on a new contract unless there's doubts. As it is, Anthony Barry is a loss, the forthcoming games will say how much of a loss.

**Exgrad** · 10/02/2022, 8:50 AM

Originally Posted by ifk101

No need to sack when his contract ends in July. Not sure why the hold up on a new contract unless there's doubts. As it is, Anthony Barry is a loss, the forthcoming games will say how much of a loss.

Maybe if the FAI got the finger out and sorted out contracts Barry would still be here. Well at least the likes of Bonner and Kerr (who seems to have the inside track these days) will be happy as a lot of concerrns over the size of Kennys back room team were raised, thats sorted now with Barry off to Belgium.

**JR89** · 10/02/2022, 8:50 AM

Originally Posted by ifk101

No need to sack when his contract ends in July. Not sure why the hold up on a new contract unless there's doubts. As it is, Anthony Barry is a loss, the forthcoming games will say how much of a loss.

It's the FAI, they love doing things arseways. Instead of getting compensated for losing one of our assistants and having a few quid to help with getting someone in to replace him, they waited and now we're losing him for nothing.

**John83** · 10/02/2022, 8:57 AM

Originally Posted by JR89

It's the FAI, they love doing things arseways. Instead of getting compensated for losing one of our assistants and having a few quid to help with getting someone in to replace him, they waited and now we're losing him for nothing.

Sure, like when we tied Robbie Keane to a four year deal?

**tetsujin1979** · 10/02/2022, 8:58 AM

There's been more than one recent case of an Ireland manager being given a contract extension and it blowing up in the FAI's faces.

**ifk101** · 10/02/2022, 9:05 AM

Unbelievable the FAI appoint a CEO that refuses to relocate to Ireland and then have him fronting a “we are one” wishy washy vision. So much for correcting past mistakes ...

**pineapple stu** · 10/02/2022, 9:17 AM

Originally Posted by Exgrad

Maybe if the FAI got the finger out and sorted out contracts Barry would still be here.

What makes you think Barry - an English coach - wouldn't have turned down the job at a much bigger nation that's probably going to be paying more and is closer to where he lives, just because he had a longer contract with the FAI?

**Exgrad** · 10/02/2022, 9:30 AM

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

What makes you think Barry - an English coach - wouldn't have turned down the job at a much bigger nation that's probably going to be paying more and is closer to where he lives, just because he had a longer contract with the FAI?

Might have been harder if he was on a longer (and better) contract? Thats generally how it works. As things stand there are doubts over the future for the entire coaching staff until contracts get sorted. Thats been going on since November.

**Exgrad** · 10/02/2022, 9:33 AM

Originally Posted by ifk101

No need to sack when his contract ends in July. Not sure why the hold up on a new contract unless there's doubts. As it is, Anthony Barry is a loss, the forthcoming games will say how much of a loss.

Of course there are doubts within the FAI, thats pretty clear isnt it?