Stephen Kenny’s managerial contract extended to 2024

Hardly the most guarded secret in Irish sport, Stephen Kenny’s new contract, to manage the Republic of Ireland all the way to the 2024 European Championships in Germany, has been confirmed by the Football Association of Ireland (FAI).

There are also two year deals for assistant manager Keith Andrews, goalkeeping coach Dean Kiely, chief scout Stephen Rice and fitness coach Damien Doyle but the search continues to replace Anthony Barry, the Chelsea trainer handpicked by Kenny, after the Liverpudlian was recently head-hunted by Belgium.

“I consider it the ultimate honour to manage my country and I am delighted to extend my contract,” said Kenny ahead of a full media briefing Thursday lunch time. “The players are incredibly proud to play for Ireland and in recent performances we have witnessed a powerful connection between the team and the Irish supporters.

“The attitude of the players has been exceptional, we have seen the team grow and develop and I, together with Keith Andrews and all of the staff, look forward to seeing the team fulfil its potential.

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“Finally, I want to express my appreciation to Jonathan and the board of the FAI for sharing our belief in the international squad.”

Kenny’s previous contract earned the 50 year old around €540,000 a season with this deal potentially including win bonuses that would reflect Ireland’s up-turn in results, having lost just once – away to Portugal – in the previous 11 matches.

“The board gave me clear instructions to agree a deal that sees Stephen in charge for the upcoming Uefa Nations League and Euro 2024 campaigns at a time when there is so much excitement about the future of this young and emerging Ireland squad,” said Jonathan Hill, the FAI chief executive. “Stephen and I have agreed on that deal now and we look forward to working together as he seeks to guide Ireland to the next European Championship finals.”

Talks around Kenny’s contract had been ongoing since November with a severance package, in the event of a failed Nations League campaign, seemingly a stumbling block. Now that is resolved, a tumultuous 23 months, by any standards for an Ireland manager, cursed by the pandemic colliding with a financial crisis, has ended.

Kenny was quickly labelled “out of his depth” by former Irish internationals, having come from the League of Ireland and a particularly successful stint at Dundalk, as his young team failed to win his opening 12 matches in charge. A competitive victory only came in match number 17, thanks to Callum Robinson goals against Azerbaijan in Baku.

“Did anyone think that we were favourites to qualify or we should qualify?” Kenny wondered aloud last year.

“We certainly have a plan in place. I have taken the decision, right or wrong, that we would build this squad to be really, really competitive to qualify for Germany 2024.”

Such medium to long term planning, put into the public domain by an under pressure Kenny, forced the FAI’s hand to some extent, with subsequent results, inspired by Robinson and Gavin Bazunu heroics, put a sheen on Ireland’s third place finish, behind Serbia and Portugal, in failed qualification for this winter’s Qatari world cup.

Hill must now focus on attracting a shirt sponsor and recruiting numerous off pitch positions, including an FAI director of football, to ensure the on-pitch progress is matched by the association’s administrative activity.

Kenny, meanwhile, is tasked with unearthing a coach comparable to Barry, after the 35-year-old helped reinvent the way Irish teams play, before Barry’s new employers Belgium come to Dublin for the Centenary match at the Aviva on March 26th.

“There is real optimism amongst the Irish football community about the future direction of our international team,” said FAI president Gerry McAnaney. “We share that belief and we look forward to continuing the journey with Stephen and his staff and players.”

Player support was never a concern for Kenny, with Josh Cullen, the revelatory Anderlecht midfielder, openly speaking on behalf of the entire squad last November that “we’re fully behind the manager and believe in what he’s trying to do. We’re enjoying the style of football we’re playing and we’re starting to see the rewards results wise, from the performances we’ve been putting in.”

“Listen,” said Shane Duffy, before ramming home the same point, “if you don’t think we are going in the right way you are writing the wrong stuff. We’re [aligned] in the right direction, with the football we are playing and the fans are excited.

“I think it’s obvious that we love playing under Stephen. There is so much fight for the manager and every single one of us in there is fighting for him.”

Stephen Kenny’s record as republic of Ireland manager

Played: 20

Won: 4

Draw: 8

Lost: 8*

*Ireland are undefeated in their last six games, winning three of four