KERR AND HANDLING THIS TIME
REPUBLIC of Ireland legend Richard Dunne is “thrilled” to see Brian Kerr back working for the FAI and hopes his interim role is made permanent.
Kerr has been appointed technical advisor to temporary boss John O’shea for the friendly matches with Belgium and Switzerland next week, bringing an end to nearly two decades in the cold following his dismissal as Ireland manager in 2005.
While O’shea has won five Premier League titles and a Champions League in a glittering playing career, he’s a managerial novice.
Saturday’s clash with Belgium at Aviva Stadium will be his first game ever managing senior players. With this in mind, Dunne feels Kerr’s vast experience will be of huge benefit.
“I’m thrilled (that Kerr’s back). He’s got so much to offer. He’s just always talking about football, he understands football, he knows every player I think in the World from U16 up all over the World,” said Dunne
“He’ll be a great sounding board for John. He’ll be able to tell him what’s important and what’s not. I think Brian will see things that maybe
John might miss because he’s so focused on the finer details.”
As for who will be the next Ireland manager, that remains anyone’s guess.
We do now know however that Lee Carsley won’t be the man appointed to the top job in early April as the England U21 boss has confirmed that he has no desire to take the job right now.
That could well open the door for O’shea if the next two matches go well. But regardless of who eventually is hired, Dunne (inset) feels Kerr has to remain involved and that the FAI can’t make the same mistake of letting a man of his experience slip through the cracks.
“Somewhere along the line someone should have spoken to him and brought him back in and tried to get his help on certain things because, for all his knowledge and everything that he has done in football, he wants to help.
“I know it’s an interim role and all that stuff, but I think for Brian it will be something that leads to a more permanent role of some sort within the FAI.”