The FAI’s managerial decision only got messier on Saturday.
Multiple reports this afternoon indicated that Mick McCarthy would take charge of the Republic of Ireland national team while Dundalk manager Stephen Kenny would take over the U21 side with a view of succeeding McCarthy after the Euro 2020 finals.
The news of the appointment was heralded as smart by some, while viewed as the FAI trying to please all sides by others, but it naturally raises the question of what happens if McCarthy exceeds expectations or if Kenny underwhelms with the U21s? Does he still take charge of the senior team regardless of his own performance or the fortunes of McCarthy?
Mick McCarthy camp in dark over FAI 'guarantee' that Stephen Kenny to follow McCarthy as ROI manager after Euro 2020. More to follow on this bizarre story.
— Philip Quinn (@Quinner61) November 24, 2018
Mick McCarthy no longer 'in the dark' about Stephen Kenny succession offer, according to FAI. He will do two years as ROI manager before hand-over. This story twisting and turning.
— Philip Quinn (@Quinner61) November 24, 2018
According to Irish Daily Mail journalist Philip Quinn, McCarthy’s representatives had not been informed of the plan to usher in Kenny after Euro 2020 but has since been made aware of the succession strategy.
The former Ipswich Town is reportedly set to agree a two-year, €2.4million contract with the FAI but it remains to be seen whether the latest development will now scupper those plans.
Meanwhile Kenny made his case for the top job earlier this week in an interview with Emmet Malone of The Irish Times.
“Do I think that I could take charge of the next generation of Irish players and turn them into a really cohesive team; combining the best virtues of Irish sides – the honesty, work-rate and passion that we’ve shown down the years – but introducing a more European style of play, a more fluid and expansive way? Yes, I do.”
“Well, philosophy is an overused word,” he continued.
“But it’s the way I view the game and I think it’s the way a lot of players love to play the game.“Midfield players love to be able to join in, to receive in on the half-turn, link with their front players, there must be movement off the line from wide players, full backs overlapping, connections…”
