“We cannot accept this.”
The RTÉ panel have delivered a unanimous verdict on Stephen Kenny, saying that the time has come for the FAI to start the process of looking for a new Republic of Ireland manager.
Speaking after Ireland lost 2-1 to the Netherlands at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, the RTÉ panel of Didi Hamann, Stephen Kelly and Richie Sadlier reached a consensus on the future of the Ireland boss.
The Boys in Green now have no chance of qualifying automatically from Group B, and will be relying on results to go in their favour to secure a playoff spot next March.
RTÉ panel deliver unanimous verdict on Stephen Kenny
Following the match, the RTÉ panel reached a consensus saying that the time has come for the FAI to move on from Kenny.
The former Dundalk coach has been in charge for 36 games, but the national team have yet to come close to qualifying for a major tournament.
“I think the team is a lot better than they have shown in the last one and a half, two years,” Hamann said on RTÉ following the match.
The former Germany midfielder said that Ireland “find a way to get beat” in matches, which is “the sign of a weak team.”
Hamann went on to say that the FAI should now make a change of manager ahead of the games against Greece and Gibraltar next month.
The former Liverpool midfielder stated that, if it was his decision, he wouldn’t allow Kenny to remain in position for a potential playoff next March.
“He shouldn’t be given a playoff,” Hamann said. “People are deflated… There’s someone out there who can get better results.”
Kelly noted that the Netherlands switched to a 4-4-2 formation in the second half and that Ireland struggled to adapt to the change.
Sadlier, meanwhile, said that Ireland are “a team managed by someone who can’t deliver results when it matters.”
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