Coming into the November international window, it is widely expected that Stephen Kenny will be taking charge of Ireland for the final time during the fixtures against the Netherlands and New Zealand.
The team have faltered to a frightening degree during their Euro 2024 qualifying group, a campaign the manager had previously earmarked as the litmus test on which the success of his tenure should be judged. While the group was a difficult one, there is no doubt that this was a test that the team have failed.
The losses to the French and Dutch were one thing, but the way Ireland were completely outclassed by Greece was another. In the end, that is likely to cost Kenny his job.
A final decision on his future will be taken by the FAI at the end of the year, where it is expected that they will move on from the current manager.
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Stephen Kenny not giving up on Ireland dream just yet
As for Stephen Kenny himself, there have been suggestions over the last 24 hours that he might not be out of a job for all that long.
The Irish Mirror reported last night that Lincoln City see him as a top candidate for their vacant manager role.
Speaking at the squad announcement for the Ireland's November games, he dismissed the notion that he was considering any other role at the moment.
You can be linked to any job. The only thing that I am concerned about is managing Ireland. That is the biggest job. No club job could compare to managing your country.
Managing your country is the biggest honour that could be bestowed upon you and that is something that I want to do. Obviously no decision is made in that regard, whatever will be will be, I’m just focusing on the games and making sure we are well prepared.
I’m just very focused on what we have got to do, I can make decisions after that based on when I’m informed either way.
I’m not discussing any individual club at this stage.
In saying that, Stephen Kenny now cuts a more resigned figure than we have become accustomed to seeing since he stepped into the job to succeed Mick McCarthy back in 2020. Having previously bullish when speaking of the team's progression under his stewardship and his prospects moving forward, he now seems like a manager that accepts what is likely to be his fate.
He is not giving up hope that he will manage Ireland in 2024, but he accepts that the FAI have a decision to make. It is one that is now all but out of his hands.
I am not making a plea, I am certainly not doing that.
My contract is up after the New Zealand game, I am very privileged to manage Ireland, it’s a transitional phase but you can see the squad now. A record number of players have come through, some of them are in the Premier League.
Their international experience has really enhanced their club careers, and their opportunity to get club moves. Several of the players who have been blooded early have enhanced their ability to get the moves they have, when people have seen them play at international level it has encouraged them.
A dead rubber qualifier and a anti-climatic friendly against New Zealand is probably not the way Stephen Kenny imagined his Ireland tenure finishing.
Unfortunately, sometimes even the best laid plans can fail to come to fruition.
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