John Giles says he would "love" to see Stephen Kenny given an extension to his contract as Ireland manager.
Kenny has been in charge for three years. His current deal is due to expire after Euro 2024. Following Ireland's recent European Championship qualifier defeats to France and the Netherlands, there has been a clamour for Kenny to be replaced.
"I think Stephen has done a really, really good job with the players that have been available to him," former Ireland player and manager Giles told Eamon Dunphy's podcast The Stand.
"I think he has lesser players than [Giovanni Trapattoni and Martin O'Neill]. He's brought the young players in. I think he's been brave in what he's doing, and I'd love to see him qualify for a competition. They try to play constructive football and most of the time they do, but he doesn't have a lot of choice at the moment.
"People get impatient if you're not qualifying for major competitions. I think a lot of the crowd are behind him. The place was packed over the weekend.
"I think he's done a good job. It depends now whether the people above have patience with him and continue to give him a contract."
10 September 2023; Republic of Ireland manager Stephen Kenny signs autographs for supporters before the UEFA EURO 2024 Championship qualifying group B match between Republic of Ireland and Netherlands at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile
Asked how Ireland stay on the track of constructive football, and what should happen to Stephen Kenny, Giles said: "The only thing they can do is appreciate what he's done and give him an extension to his contract.
"Now, the public opinion comes into this. The crowd will dictate the situation. If the crowd stays on his side, then you've got to get the papers on his side, and it will be public opinion if and when it comes to that particular way.
"Stephen has been in a situation which has been one of the worst situations of any of the managers who have taken over with the players who are at his disposal.
"I think he's doing a good job with them. There's nothing like winning matches for him to get an extension. If the people are still coming to the matches, that's a big plus for him. It means that they like watching the team, and whoever makes the decision to extend his contract, it will be a plus for him in a big way.
"On a personal note, I'd love to see him have an extension to his contract. I think he's done a good job, he's a good fella, a good character. He's made progress with the team with the players he's had at his disposal."
Ireland's next games are qualifiers at home to Greece on October 13th and away to Gibraltar three days later.
"The thing for Stephen now to keep his job, he has to beat the teams that we should be beating. He has to do that," said Giles.
See Also: 'Bitter' O'Neill Says Stephen Kenny Was Appointed By Irish Media
