Emotion and passion rebounded from wall to wallin the 'Great Room' of Dublin's Shelbourne Hoteltoday when 49-year-old Brian Kerr was officiallyunveiled as Mick McCarthy's successor asRepublic of Ireland manager.
Kerr, who becomes the third full-time boss ofthe national team, was paraded before theassembled media, family, friends and well wishers to give his first press conference assenior manager and duly rose to the occasion bygiving an assured and entertaining insight intohis blueprint for the future.
"It's just an amazing feeling, said Kerr. "It'svery emotional to be able to sit here as Irishteam manager," he said.
"This is the biggest job in Irish football, infact it's the biggest job in the world forme."
Kerr has been appointed on a three-and-a-half yearticket that will see him in charge up to the finalgame of the 2006 World Cup qualifying campaign.
"It's been a long road to get here and I'd like to thank a lot of people who have given me the opportunity to test my skills and coaching ability from a very early age".
"I intend giving it a really good shot. Every job I've had the team has been better when I left than when I started - and we've usually done quite well".
With Ireland playing Scotland at Hampden Park onFebruary 12th Kerr's first duty is to name asquad for the friendly. But the matter ofreinstating Roy Keane is likely todominate the headlines in the coming days andovershadow the build up to the game.
Kerr appeared to offer the exiled former captainan olive branch by saying he wanted his best possible selection on the pitch.
"I do not think anyone here today would expectme to be foolish enough to tell you how I amgoing to handle the situation," said Kerr.
"I want Ireland to have the best team out on thepitch. We have a limited pool to pick from and Iwant the best team to play.
"I have a plan in mind how I am going to dealwith it [Keane] but I want the best players to play forus and you - this is everybody's team. I am notgoing to tell you now how I am going to dealwith it."
Kerr also said he held talks on Sunday withformer international defender Chris Hughtonabout becoming his assistant. Hughton iscurrently Glenn Hoddle's highly respected firstteam coach at Tottenham and will work with theFAI on a part-time basis.
"I met Chris on Sunday and he was incrediblypassionate about the job and wanting to getinvolved. He has 53 caps for Ireland which showshis class as a player and he now has a UEFA Procoaching license. The Association are talkingwith Spurs at the moment so I hope that he willbe involved."
He has also appointed his long time friend andright hand man Noel O'Reilly as coach withPackie Bonner staying on as goalkeepingcoach.
News of Kerr's successful application was leakedlate last Friday while the manager was away inAbu Dhabi overseeing his under-20s triumph in aprestigious four nation tournament.
His appointment was a popular choice for the game'sgrassroots and the consensus is the former St.Patrick's Athletic boss carries with him atechnically superior arsenal than that of fellowcandiates John Aldridge, Kevin Moran, BryanRobson, Peter Reid, Philippe Troussier and FrankStapleton.
Some may doubt his credentials as a top flightmanager but Kerr, who began his touchline careeras a 15-year-old guiding Crumlin Unitedunder-12s, denounced these suggestions.
"I really don't think that's an issue," hestated. "I've been managing and coachingprobably for more years that I care to remember.I think that with any team that I have beeninvolved in the players have respected me."
"I have a team around me who will support mefully. We will work together, player's will beinspired by our passion. I think theassociation gave me the job because theyrecognised my passion."
The eircom League also received a boost with thenew manager insisting he would "continue to seemy usual quota of eircom League games.""I have never ignored the League in the past - Ihad four players from the eircom League in theUAE last week - and I will continue to look atall Irish players and pick them if they are goodenough."
"In the past the managers and coaches in theLeague have been disassociated from the League.That's not a criticism of the past but, becausemyself, Noel and Packie are based in Ireland,we'll be doing things to change that likeworkshops, coaching schools and going to plentyof games. "
Ireland are currently pointless in their qualifying group for Euro 2004 after losing the opening games to Russia and Switzerland. Kerr is confident, however, that his team can still feature in the finals in Portugal.
"We're not out of the running. If this team could qualify for the last World Cup, then they can still qualify for the European Championships. There are still 18 points to play for and though we face very difficult matches, we can certainly achieve the results we need."
Kerr, a driven perfectionist who is meticulous in his preparation, takes on the role after six years in charge of the youth set-up. During his time working with the youngsters he has successfully introduced the likes of Robbie Keane, John O'Shea, Damien Duff Colin Healy, Gary Doherty, Richard Dunne and Graham Barrett to the international scene.
FAI president Milo Corcoran wished Kerr every success saying it was a "good appointment for the future of Irish football."
". . .I firmly believe football can move on from here. I have always had a positive outlook about the game and I think the appointment of Brian will be a turning point for the game."