Stephen Kenny to remain Republic of Ireland manager for Euro qualifiers – no guarantee for possible play-off
Stephen Kenny. Photo: Sportsfile
The FAI have today given their backing to under-fire senior team manager Stephen Kenny by insisting he will be in charge for the rest of the Euro 2024 group campaign and his position will only be reviewed when the international year concludes with a friendly at home to New Zealand in November.
But Kenny's employers stopped short of promising Kenny would be in charge of the side if they are in a play-off for the Euros in March.
Kenny has been under pressure during the disappointing Euro 2024 qualifying campaign, Ireland with just three points from five games and with automatic qualification now impossible, the Republic are clinging to an outside hope of making it into a play-off through the Nations League.
Kenny's future is under scrutiny, but at a media briefing today, FAI CEO Jonathan Hill – facing questions over the manner of Vera Pauw's axing as senior women's team boss – said that Kenny's status would be reviewed when the campaign is finished, effectively closing off the option of Kenny being ousted before next month's double-header against Greece and Gibraltar.
"I am [saying he will be in charge], and for the final game in November against New Zealand," Hill said when asked if Kenny would be in charge for the last three qualifiers.
"It's has been a tough Euro campaign which has seen is pitted against two of the best teams in the world.
"We want to qualify, the public want it, the FAI want it and Irish football needs it. We are disappointed to have lost the last two games and it will be discussed at the next FAI board meeting, as is always the case.
"While we might not have achieved the results we wanted, with qualification set as a goal at the outset, the manager and players are
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