Kerr says FAI decision to end his contract is 'shortsighted'

Brian Kerr last night expressed disappointment and sadness at the decision by members of the FAI's board not to renew his contract as manager of Ireland's senior team, and described the decision, which was taken without the need for a vote by the 10-man committee, as short sighted and contrary to the principles of the Genesis report.

In a statement issued last night through the offices of his agent, Fintan Drury, the 52- year-old Dubliner thanked his assistant, Chris Hughton, the rest of his backroom staff, the players he had worked with and the team's supporters.

He said that he would take some time to consider his future options but that he intended to remain involved in the game.

"I acknowledge the decision of the board of the FAI (but) I am disappointed that I am not being given the opportunity to continue my work with the senior national team.

"I believe that the decision is short-sighted and contrary to the much vaunted spirit of the Genesis report."

He said that after nine-and-a- half years working for the association he was "deeply saddened" that his work in the game is at least temporarily at an end.

"I intend to take some time," he concluded, "to consider the next step in my career but I do intent to remain involved in professional football".

His statement came after the association's chief executive, John Delaney, had informed members of the media of the board's decision at a north Dublin hotel. The organisation's chief operations manager, Tadhg O'Halloran, informed Drury of the news.

It was, in the end, the shortest reign of any Ireland manager since Kerr's mentor, Liam Tuohy's departure more than 30 years ago. It lasted just 33 months.

A three-man committee consisting of Delaney, the association's honorary secretary, Michael Cody, and its president, David Blood, will now set about finding a successor.

Delaney said last night that he felt that the association had been right to give Kerr the opportunity to take on the job but that the failure of the team to qualify for the World Cup finals required that decisive action be taken.

Supporters of Kerr, meanwhile, expressed amazement and anger that while the decision of the board had supposedly been taken after a thorough review of the recent campaign (compiled by the same three-man committee), the outgoing manager had not been given any opportunity to have an input into the process.