On Monday afternoon, a beaming Stephen Kenny appeared before the media for the first time since being named Ireland U21 boss and also Mick McCarthy's successor as Ireland senior manager.
It's in writing that he will take over from Mick McCarthy
There is no handshake agreement regarding his succession of Mick McCarthy as Ireland senior boss. It is in Kenny's contract that he will take over from McCarthy in August 2020.
As Kenny confirmed this point and awaited another question at the press conference, Google Maps on an RTÉ journalist's phone loudly - and fittingly - affirmed: 'You have arrived.'
His agreement with the FAI was penned on Saturday
"Everything was just finalised on Saturday. A week ago, I couldn’t have envisioned this, of course, but it’s an arrangement that I’m perfectly happy with, I’m delighted with. It’s a great opportunity and one that I’ll work extremely hard to do it justice."
He met Mick McCarthy and Robbie Keane for dinner on Sunday evening
"That was fine, it was great," said Kenny of his meeting with the new Ireland senior boss and his assistant.
"I’d not met Mick in 15 years, it went very well. He’s got great experience, Mick, he obviously captained Ireland for such a long period and had a very successful period as manager of Ireland. So, I think I can only learn from him."
He believes there are a number of League of Ireland players who could make an impact at U21 level
"There have been some players involved in the senior team in recent times, training in the squad. Lee O'Connor, Michael Obafemi and Caoimhin Kelleher - they're all available for the U21s this year," said Kenny.
"There have been other players who have been really doing well through the groups. It's not fair to mention players, but obviously Adam Idah and Troy Parrott, people like that have caught the eye.
"There are even players in the League of Ireland available for the U21 team right throughout the country. At UCD, players like Neil Farrugia and Liam Scales, Will Fitzerald down in Limerick, Trevor Clarke at Shamrock Rovers, Darragh Leahy at Bohemians, two really good left backs, Ali Reghba at Bohemians, players like that.
"I'm leaving a lot out, I'd say, but the underlying thing is that there are a lot of young, talented players playing throughout the country."
He will use the next two years as an opportunity to learn
Obviously, one of the advantages is that I've had 46 European fixtures, Champions League and Europa League. I think European football is the best preparation you can get for international football. That will serve me well.
Sure, I've got a lot to learn. Over the next period, the next two years, I've got a great opportunity to learn. First of all from the current international manager, Mick McCarthy, I've got a lot to learn from him.
It gives me an opportunity to travel, see how the other international teams prepare; the tactical nuances of the different systems, really examine them at close quarters; the blocks of games close together in four or five days and explore the best practice for preparation.
He won't be involved in senior camps
"That's Mick McCarthy's domain, I won't be interfering with that.
"My brief is the under-21 international team, the under-19s, under-18s, 17s, 16s, 15s. I think there’s great work going on at all levels. I think all the international managers from Tom Owen to Jim Crawford to Colin O’Brien, Paul Osam, Jason Donoghue, right throughout.
"There’s been a lot of great work being done. Part of Ruud Dokter and the board’s vision here for the future of Irish football, I’m now a part of that. My role is now to assist and support all of the other managers and to nurture and develop and help inspire the new generation of Irish players for the future of Irish football. And I think that’s a very exciting period for everyone."
It was tough to leave Dundalk
"It was a real wrench to leave Dundalk Football Club because we had unprecedented success there. The players and the staff were amazing to work with, a really, really special group of players.
"[There was a] Tremendous bond with everyone at the football club and whole town really. I think it was a very unique period in Irish football history and it was a privilege to be a part of it.
"Of course, I was reluctant to leave that to go anywhere, particularly with the seeding situation with the Champions League. To be seeded in the first round of the Champions League and possibly the third round of the Europa League… to leave that [it] would have to be [for] something special, and this is something special - it doesn’t get any more special than this. This is an absolutely fantastic opportunity and one that just you cannot turn down. I’m thrilled to be here."
League of Ireland players performing at a good level should be considered for the senior team
"Certainly, if you perform at Europa League level, you have to be in strong consideration.
"Once players are Irish, no matter where they're playing, if they're good enough and performing to a level, everyone should be considered."
It's unlikely he will see out his full term as U21 manager
Kenny is scheduled to take over from Mick McCarthy in August 2020. Qualification for the 2021 European Under-21 Championships runs until October 2020 with the playoffs taking place the following month.
"That all has to be discussed," said Kenny.
"It's very unlikely [that I will see out the full term] because I'll be appointed [senior manager] in August 2020. That is what I think.
"The greater good of Irish football is important and we'll have done a lot of work in that period. That'll be for the FAI to decide."
Also, the remit which will have him overseeing all underage men's international teams will not be Kenny's once he takes the senior reins.
Photo by Eóin Noonan/Sportsfile
