Stephen Kenny's return to the League of Ireland has brought added intrigue to St. Patrick's Athletic's campaign.
The ex-Ireland boss has made his return to management with the Inchicore side, signing a remarkable five-year contract to keep him at Richmond Park until the end of the 2029 season.
St. Pat's currently find themselves struggling in seventh place in the table, so hopes will be high that Kenny is the man to turn their fortunes around.
There is additional off-field interest surrounding Kenny's arrival at Pat's, given the influential presence of Brian Kerr at the club.
Kenny and Kerr's relationship could be described as "frosty," to say the least, with Kerr a repeatedly staunch critic of Kenny's management during his three-year spell in charge of Ireland. Kenny publicly addressed the relentless criticism from Kerr in 2022, saying he found it "difficult to talk about".
I've known Brian a long time. The quarters of criticism that you get, that can surprise you. I don't hold grudges and I can move on at any stage...I'm not just talking about Brian. Listen, I don't mind legitimate criticism, I'm okay with that and have no problem with it. I don't like agenda-based criticism and strategies to undermine you, which has happened. I don't like that.
As was to be expected, the topic of Brian Kerr did not take long to surface during Stephen Kenny's first presser as St. Pat's boss.
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Stephen Kenny gives tense response to Brian Kerr question
Stephen Kenny faced the media on Thursday ahead of his bow as St. Pat's boss on Friday night.
"I don't think we'll be meeting for cups of tea or coffee."
Stephen Kenny on his relationship with Brian Kerr.#LOI pic.twitter.com/DuIPNGZumk— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) May 17, 2024
When asked about how his relationship with Brian Kerr would impact his role at Richmond Park, Kenny said that the pair's relationship was still on the rocks but that he would not let it affect the day-to-day goings on at the club.
Listen, he goes to the games and of course that's a big part of his life and so forth.
I don't think we'll be meeting for cups of tea and coffee, you know?
I don't know if 'fine' is the word but certainly...I haven't seen Brian in a long time. Obviously we had a very good relationship for a long period but that's the way life is.
Kenny's comments are certainly a smidge different to those from Kerr earlier this week on the same topic.
Before Kenny's arrival in Inchicore was confirmed, Kerr was asked for his thoughts on the potential appointment. Speaking to the Independent, Kerr addressed the fact that the pair had worked together earlier in Kenny's coaching career, before putting the onus on Kenny to move on from their past rift.
My relationship with Stephen...now he's out of work, he isn't going to come to me asking where I think he should work or what he should do. If he chose to, I would give him the type of advice I've given to him and other managers in the past.
My relationship with Stephen hasn't changed but his relationship with me might have changed in that...some people take offence to what you give up as an honest opinion as an analyst. That's up to him.
Brian Kerr will get his first chance to see Stephen Kenny's St. Pat's side in action on Friday evening when they host Derry City. A mouthwatering tie against Damien Duff's Shelbourne is next up on Monday evening, with that game live on Virgin Media Two from Richmond Park.
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