"If you offered me the job of managing Real Madrid or Barcelona or Ireland, I would choose to manage Ireland."
Stephen Kenny is the choice of many Irish football fans to succeed Martin O'Neill as manager of the Republic of Ireland.
The Dundalk manager has done tremendous work with the Irish champions over the last five years.
From a very low base, Kenny has helped Dundalk win four league titles, two Fai Cups and reach the group stages of the Europa League.
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He has done this despite frequently losing his best players. And he has never even contemplated sacrificing Dundalk's passing style of football in order to try to maintain their success.
As it currently stands, it appears Mick McCarthy is set to become the new manager, with Robbie Keane as his assistant.
However, no appointment has been made yet, so Kenny is still technically in the running.
When asked about becoming the national team's manager, Kenny didn't hide that he would love the job, but he was also respectful towards his current employers.
"I don't have PR strategy", he told
The Dundalk Democrat.
"I don't have a dream team. I think, ultimately I'm a football coach and I have great respect for all the players at Dundalk and for everyone connected to the club."
"I think managing your country is the ultimate honour.
"If you offered me the job of managing Real Madrid or Barcelona or Ireland, I would choose to manage Ireland, because it's the greatest honour you can have as an Irishman."
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Kenny represents the best of Irish football and believes in the talent of Irish footballers.
He would be a progressive appointment and the modern coach that the national team needs.
However, it looks like there will be another "dream team" installed.
"I don't have PR strategy", he told The Dundalk Democrat.
