Republic of Ireland V Netherlands - Sunday, 11th September 2023 - Euro 2024 Qualifier

**Straightstory** · 11/09/2023, 11:10 AM

Originally Posted by D24Saint

Had to turn the post match interview off it was so painful to watch. You can clearly see he is hurting and becomes incoherent. I feel for him but the tide has turned even the most loyal of his LOI diehards have to see that the time has come for change.

You'd have to fear for Kenny's future. A return to the League of Ireland would feel like a huge step down, but his record as Irish manager is so dreadful, it's hard to see anybody else wanting him. I was very pleased he got the job, but he's been an abject failure. A tragic figure in many ways; difficult to imagine where he goes from here.

**D24Saint** · 11/09/2023, 11:19 AM

Originally Posted by Straightstory

You'd have to fear for Kenny's future. A return to the League of Ireland would feel like a huge step down, but his record as Irish manager is so dreadful, it's hard to see anybody else wanting him. I was very pleased he got the job, but he's been an abject failure. A tragic figure in many ways; difficult to imagine where he goes from here.

The only thing that would save face would be a job in the SPL or even League one. He has achieved a lot in the domestic game for his age and the international job came at a perfect time in his career. It�s all ended in tears but that�s life he will have to move on next year. He could always take an obscure international job.

**NeverFeltBetter** · 11/09/2023, 11:20 AM

I was just going to write, if he wants to try and salvage an international career he'll have to settle for something at a low seeding, ala Brian Kerr, but I have a feeling he'd prefer a club assignment somewhere. Maybe Dundalk again down the line, when/if it becomes available?

**tetsujin1979** · 11/09/2023, 11:44 AM

Originally Posted by passinginterest

I think the nail has been hit on the head a few times here. It's been an issue throughout his career and it's cruelly exposed at international level, Kenny hates changing the starting shape and team and leaves it too late to make adjustments. They play such a high tempo and it's great to a point, but in both games they were flogged at half time and that contributes to the slow restarts. They get a bit of a second wind then, but by 55 minutes there's always two or three dead on their feet, yet he waits and waits to change it. Similarly, everyone spotted the Dutch change in shape at half time. Immediately they were causing problems and retaining the ball much more comfortably, but it wasn't until they scored that we made the adjustment. Too little too late. I have some admiration for throwing on so many attacking players and trying to go for it, but it was also clear that Idah and Ogbene were wrecked, so it might have been more effective to just replace them.

Manning came on at 63 minutes, eight minutes after the Dutch took the lead, but bringing him on for McClean was a like-for-like swap. A change in formation was needed, and he brought on a left wing back for a left wing back. McGrath and Smallbone came on for Egan and Browne at 74 minutes, that was the first indication he was trying something different

We finished the game with Ogbene, Idah, and Armstrong on the pitch, It reminded me a little of van Gaal throwing Hasselbaink and van Hooijdonk on against us in 2001

**pineapple stu** · 11/09/2023, 11:53 AM

Originally Posted by D24Saint

The only thing that would save face would be a job in the SPL or even League one. He has achieved a lot in the domestic game for his age and the international job came at a perfect time in his career. It�s all ended in tears but that�s life he will have to move on next year. He could always take an obscure international job.

Not doing his chances of TV punditry much good of course unfortunately

**tetsujin1979** · 11/09/2023, 1:18 PM

Combined player statistics for the two qualifiers

**Razors left peg** · 11/09/2023, 1:20 PM

Haven't read any of the thread. I was in stadium for 1st time in years last night as have been home last couple weeks. It was awful. We look so badly coached. Basic stuff. There's zero doubt its time for a change

**ifk101** · 11/09/2023, 2:40 PM

Greece is Kenny�s effective end. He was afforded time and expense to prepare for that game, promised great things, and fell flat. Poyet made a mockery of him in the aftermath. Koeman now making out he�s some tactical genius post last night. What Andrews and O�Shea add I do not know. Barry was a huge loss for us.

**Nesta99** · 11/09/2023, 2:45 PM

Originally Posted by Fixer82

Stephen Kenny is a good guy and it�s sad that it hasn�t worked.
But it really hasn�t.
I hope he heads off on a nice long holiday when he�s put out of his (and our) misery

Originally Posted by Neish

Might be a job going in Ballybofey soon, would be a real test of his abilities

Well if they keep giving out 8 year managerial contracts wouldnt matter a damn how able he was....

**SkStu** · 11/09/2023, 3:28 PM

So what do the wise folk of foot.ie think? Go now or in November?

My vote is for him to go now. He is a dead man walking, everyone knows it, and prolonging it is no good for him or the players. Going now allows us to get someone in with a few competitive games and friendlies to make some personnel decisions before the next round of Nations League. Only wrinkle is i dont think we have someone in on time for the October games.

**Stuttgart88** · 11/09/2023, 3:30 PM

Go now.

**passinginterest** · 11/09/2023, 3:36 PM

Assuming it's now inevitable that he's going, it would probably be as well to make the call now. I think there's two issues, even a small payoff is not good for the FAI finances at the moment and second the concern over anyone suitable being available to take over. Is there any point in having an interim manager for the next two games? Might as well just continue with Kenny as have a caretaker for those games? Nothing stopping the FAI taking their time sounding out potential replacements and having them ready to go as soon as the contract is up.

**zero** · 11/09/2023, 3:47 PM

go now for me also.

**TrapAPony** · 11/09/2023, 3:50 PM

Absolutely go now. No ifs, buts or maybes.

**Diggs246** · 11/09/2023, 3:51 PM

Go now please
Btw unlucky manager my ass
3.5 years of unluckiness !
Give us a rest

**ifk101** · 11/09/2023, 3:57 PM

I'd let him finish off his contract if there is a pay off involved. Need to make the U21 position a stepping stone for potential senior managers to have that as a option in times like this. As is, we don't have that option (sorry Jim).

**seanfhear** · 11/09/2023, 4:03 PM

Go now.

**joey B** · 11/09/2023, 4:29 PM

I cant see the point in staying,let a caretaker take the last couple of games and look for someone new....

**seanfhear** · 11/09/2023, 4:35 PM

Time for a Mutual Agreement departure.

**yurt** · 11/09/2023, 7:53 PM

Does anyone have a ballpark figure of the cost it'd be for the FAI to pay off the rest of Kenny's contract? It seems like it's the only real reason to keep him on at this stage.

Unless the FAI already have his replacement then I probably wouldn't pull the trigger because it seems at least like the players are still playing for him. Although unfortunately it is clear after the Greek and Dutch games that his in game management just isn't at the standard required.

I really wanted things to work out for this manager and the group of young players but unfortunately it isn't to be. Even though his time in charge can't be called a success by any stretch I have at least looked forward to all of the national team's games again. It's all I wanted when he took the job and he did that but sooner or later you need to pick up a few results.

I think the fixture he'll regret the most is Armenia away. It looks likely that even a point from that game would have made the difference for us to get a playoff. If we knew that we were more likely than not for a playoff at this stage I think a lot more people would be more inclined to let him see out the campaign.