King Kenny is Real deal

MANAGING YOUR COUNTRY IS ULTIMATE HONOUR SAYS DUNDALK BOSS AND STU RECKONS HIS VISION IS THE PERFECT FIT

STEPHEN KENNY claims he would rather be Ireland boss than take charge of Real Madrid or Barcelona.

The Dundalk boss remains under consideration for the job even though Mick Mccarthy is the clear front-runner.

It may well be the case Kenny is being kept on the shortlist for backup purposes in the event talks with Mccarthy hit the skids.

Prior to O’neill’s axing, Kenny was approached by the FAI about the vacant Irish U21 job following Noel King’s departure.

But the Dundalk boss is ambitious man and has his sights set on bigger things with club and

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5 League of Ireland titles, 2 FAI Cup, 2 League Cups

Kenny was youngest boss in League of Ireland history by taking over at Longford Town aged just 27.

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47 Dublin country. That message went down well within Abbotstown’s corridors of power but right now it is Mccarthy’s job to lose.

Kenny – under contract until 2020 – broke his silence in the ‘Dundalk Democrat’ yesterday and said: “Managing your country is the ultimate honour.

“If you offered me the job of managing

Real Madrid, Barcelona or Ireland, I’d chose to manage Ireland, because it’s the greatest honour you can have as an Irishman.”

Quizzed further on the role, he said: “I don’t have PR strategy. I don’t have a dream team.

“Ultimately I’m a football coach and I’ve great respect for all the players at Dundalk and everyone connected to the club.”

League of Ireland stalwart Stuart Byrne (inset) played under Kenny in his first managerial post at Longford Town and insists he is the visionary to shape Irish football.

Byrne told Mirror Sport: “We need a complete change in philosophy and Stephen gives you that, just look at how his teams play. These international players just need a bit of shape and, more than anything, confidence and a green light from a manager to go and play.

“Michael O’neill is a great example as Northern Ireland played us off the park. With Mick Mccarthy, you will get an lift for 12 or 18 months and that might be enough to get to the Euros, but it’s short term gain without looking at the bigger picture.

“Ireland have been playing with fear. You need a manager to grab the situation and allow players make mistakes and learn from them.”

And Byrne does not buy the argument that Kenny is unproven at the top level.

“What has Mick done at club level? Not to belittle him but there’s this idea if you don’t go to England you’re nothing. We’ve undersold ourselves for years.”

THE LOWDOWN