Brian Kerr’s knowledge of Irish football is always worth tapping into
TRAVELLING on the team bus in his hometown going to Ireland games was not something Brian Kerr ever expected to experience again.
Certainly not in the light of his treatment by the former FAI hierarchy which cast him into perdition from the end of 2005 until the upheaval of 2019.
That Kerr was subsequently critical in his appraisal of the reign of Stephen Kenny on Virgin Media, was another reason he may have felt his time with the FAI was up.
Yet, many with a deep feel for Irish football, and a knowledge of what was needed, knew there was a role for Kerr.
Liam Brady called for Kerr to be part of the Irish coaching ticket at the Soccer Writers’ awards in December while, at board level, Packie Bonner was a staunch supporter of a recall.
When the FAI realised it wouldn’t have a permanent manager in position in time for the games with Belgium and Switzerland, the Dubliner was thrust forward as a sounding board for interim boss, John O’Shea.
A ‘dig out’ was needed and Kerr, who has seen it all over half a century as coach and manager at all levels, was ready to answer the call.
‘I’ve been kind of learning from them as much as they’ve been picking a few bits up from me,’ he said of working with O’Shea in this window.
At times, putting his best foot forward wasn’t always easy for Kerr this past week, due to a nagging Achilles which would have ruled him out of selection, if needed.
More seriously, he has hugely enjoyed his role, offering ‘a few bits’ to O’Shea, the staff and players, on his return.
He admitted he knew the coaching staff a lot better than he did the players, bar Jamie McGrath, who had a spell at St Pat’s.
On Saturday, when Kerr appeared on the screen at Aviva Stadium before the Belgium game, there was a resounding cheer of approval.
Ireland fans have long appreciated his value, and his passion for helping all Irish teams to do that bit better.
‘It’s been quite emotional,’ he said of his return to the fold.
‘I didn’t see myself in that situation that I was in on Saturday, going on the team bus, going into the team entrance with the team, I didn’t see that coming around in my time in football again.
‘So, that part was quite emotional, being involved with the players and the staff.’
What Kerr found informative was the advances in technology which helps in the match preparation for managers and coaches. While he was intrigued — if not a little bemused — by the terminology now in vogue. It’s all about No6s and No10s, CDMs, inverted wingers, inverted centre-backs, and transitions. Lots of transitions.
‘There’s a whole new language around the coaching game which I find very interesting,’ he said.
‘The game hasn’t changed that much but some of the phrases are different in relation to the tactics; the wording has changed.
‘It’s still about working hard to win the ball back in the best areas of the pitch, getting forward, getting people in the box, get numbers behind the ball when you’ve not got the ball. Those basic principles haven’t changed.’
When the squad breaks up today, Kerr will say his thanks and farewells. He played down his part as a small cog in the Irish wheel.
‘This is not about me. It’s about trying to help when asked, in a period of Irish football that has been a bit difficult lately.
‘You’re looking at non-qualification for tournaments — I’ve aired my frustration over the last few years working in the media on that.
‘I was offered the opportunity to try and help out in this brief period to give John, his staff, a dig out, and the Association.’
That he has done. Whoever takes over the team could do a lot worse than pop over to Tymon Park and join Kerr on one of his walks.
They will know a lot more about Irish football, and Irish players, when they’re finished. Kerr might even drop in a few CDMs here and there. He knows all the lingo now.