It is fair to say that the vast majority of commentators will now agree that Ireland have made some decent strides under Stephen Kenny over the last few months. The question for some now, is that enough to ensure he is handed a new contract in the coming weeks?
Kenny's current deal runs until the end of June, although it was assumed that the deal would extended before the end of 2021 if the FAI were planning to keep him in charge for the Euro 2024 qualifying campaign.
That is still the most likely scenario, although some believe they should wait and see how the games in the first half of 2022 play out before making such a commitment. Liam Brady and Brian Kerr sit in that particular camp.
Appearing on The Late Late Show last night, Eamon Dunphy said he was very much in favour of Kenny being given a new contract, believing that he has done a 'remarkable' job with the team. On the other hand, Brady stuck to his previous stance that the FAI should take their time in making a decision.
"I think he's shown himself to be a courageous coach"
Eamon Dunphy has praised Stephen Kenny as he and Liam Brady assessed Ireland's qualifying campaign on the @RTELateLateShow #RTESoccer pic.twitter.com/MPVGaegq32— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) November 12, 2021
Dunphy: When you consider where Stephen Kenny started and what he inherited, I think it's remarkable what he has done. I think the young players who have come in, as well as people like Shane Duffy and Seamus Coleman, have responded to him.
I think he has shown himself to be a courageous coach. He is willing to play young players in big games.
He did get a hard time in the beginning, but a lot of people want him to get the job now. the public want him to get the job, and most commentators want him to get the job. Some commentators want more evidence...
Brady: I've been one of the most patient guys. A lot of ex-players have written him off but I wanted to give him time. We have time, we play Luxembourg on Sunday and then there is another six games before his contract is out.
If you were a businessman, you'd take that time to make the judgement and have informed analysis. So why not wait? That's what I can't understand, why give him the job now? We've got six points from seven games, that's not very good.
Dunphy: We have lost one of our last nine games. He is doing something very courageous, he is trying to revolutionise the Irish team. These are young players, 19, 20, 21...
They're all playing for small clubs. When Liam and the Trapattoni regime were in power, they had Robbie Keane, Damien Duff, John O'Shea, Shay Given, big players.
Stephen has had none of that. He had to start with very inexperienced players, they are very young. They excite me and the public, there is a bit of strut about them.
Liam wants more evidence, I just want him to get the job.
The majority of supporters would seem to fall into Dunphy's school of thinking on this matter, especially when you consider the atmosphere that was on show during the game against Portugal.
It will be interesting to see what route the FAI go down, although it is difficult to anticipate them going against the public sentiment when it comes to Kenny's long-term future with the side.
SEE ALSO: The Portuguese Media Reaction To The Stalemate Against Ireland
