Brian Kerr is "elated" to be brought back into the Republic of Ireland coaching team after John O'Shea announced his coaching ticket yesterday.
Kerr along with Glenn Whelan and Rene Gilmartin have been brought in to John O'Shea's coaching team for the upcoming international friendlies against Belgium and Switzerland this month.
The former Ireland gaffer is being brought on as a technical advisor in what will be his first job in the FAI since his exit as manager in 2005. Since then he managed the Faroe Islands national team from 2009 until 2011 but has been out of the coaching game since then.
In the meantime he's been a pundit for Virgin Media and hasn't bee afraid to speak his mind about the FAI and the running of football in this country on occasion.
Brian Kerr's Initial Reaction To New role
Speaking to Virgin Media Sport on Friday, Brian Kerr opened up on his new role as technical advisor and his elation to be brought back into the fold of the national team.
It's come out of the blue for me but I'm delighted to be available to offer any assistance for John O'Shea, he's putting his team together and I'm elated to be part of that team.
My initial reaction, without having great long discussions with anyone about the role, I'm delighted to be asked.
Kerr had been frozen out from the FAI in the years after his departure as Ireland manager and even he was surprised to receive the phonecall from O'Shea.
I would have to say no, I thought it would be very unlikely at this stage. I've been offered roles over the last few years. One of them was a mad one about being the media watchdog at one stage. I suppose I didn't think I would have the opportunity to be on the training pitch, to be assessing players and to maybe lending a word of advice here and there to players and staff about trying to win matches, which I think is the most important thing now for this team.
The 'media watchdog' role is an interesting nugget: as far we know that role has never been filled by anyone.
On the chances of him and the rest of the ticket staying one after this international window, Kerr says they are slim.
I think that's very unlikely, I'm only thinking about helping John for these couple of games, I'm not sure where John's position is in the longer term at the FAI
You can watch the full Brian Kerr interview on Virgin Media Sport's social media platforms. It could be the making of a very interesting international window for Ireland.
𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐊𝐞𝐫𝐫 𝐞𝐱𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰!
▪️ Delight at his new role
▪️ His return to the FAI
▪️ The upcoming friendlies
▪️ The call from John O'Shea
▪️ His passion for Irish football
▪️ Missing St Pat's games in March 😅@BernardOToole | #COYBIG pic.twitter.com/v72kLJs0N5— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) March 1, 2024
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