John Fallon: Words trumped actions in Kenny's Ireland tenure
RESULTS were underwhelming, but at least Stephen Kenny supplied entertainment value with his various soundbites and speeches.
The Ireland manager’s reign is toast, soon to be ended by the FAI no matter what prospects the team have of an alternative avenue to next year’s Euros through a couple of playoff rounds.
It was a tenure that began in November 2018, from the moment John Delaney hatched his brainwave of a succession plan that entailed Kenny spending a year as U21 boss with the guarantee of elevation to succeed Mick McCarthy.
Kenny was already renowned for his left-field views from his club career, especially some colourful programme notes at Dundalk delving into political and social matters, and the press department at the FAI were helpless to prevent the occasional rant and emotional sermon being aired.
Here’s just a sample of the opinions he offered in public.
November 2018
“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.”
A week later, Kenny had departed Dundalk for the FAI.
June 2019
“I know this is subjective and slightly controversial, but if there was a better relationship at the time between underage and senior managers, you would feel that both Jack Grealish and Declan Rice would definitely be playing for Ireland. They would have been fast-tracked earlier and into the first team.
“Jack Grealish played GAA for Warwickshire all the way up in England. He did feel a sense of Irishness. You wouldn’t have had to be a genius to see he’s an exceptional player.”
Speaking then as U21 manager, Kenny laments the loss of two future £100m
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