The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Former Pars star talks of ‘living hell’ in India.
McCarthy agrees to step aside to allow new boss to start drawing up plans for play-off
Former Dunfermline boss Stephen Kenny has taken over as manager of the Republic of Ireland national team with immediate effect.
Irishman Kenny, who was in charge of the Pars for 13 months from November 2006 to December the following year, has now reached the pinnacle of his career by managing his country.
He will face a false start, however, with football shut down due to the coronavirus crisis.
Kenny takes over from Mick McCarthy, whose contract had been due to run until July 31, after the former Celtic defender agreed to step aside early.
The Republic are due to face Slovakia away in the Euro 2020 qualifying playoff semi-final, with the winner to face either Northern Ireland or Bosnia and Herzegovina in their final.
However, the fixture has been postponed for a second time due to the pandemic.
Interim FAI chief executive Gary Owens said: “This has been a difficult situation for the association – and for Mick and Stephen in particular – in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic and the effect it has had on the football calendar.
“I want to thank both men for their professionalism and their understanding in their dealings with the association in these unprecedented circumstances.
“These are exceptional times in Irish life and Mick has taken that into account in agreeing to vacate the post early.
“Stephen will now begin his planning for the play-off against Slovakia and everyone at the FAI wishes him well in our bid to qualify for Euro 2020.
“Football will be back and we have so much to look forward to now in the autumn with the Nations League and the Uefa Euro 2020 play-off, followed by the World Cup qualifiers in early 2021.”
Kenny will have Celtic coach Damien Duff on his revamped management team.
Duff, who joined the Hoops as reserve team manager alongside Brendan Rodgers last January before being promoted to first team duties by Neil Lennon, takes up the post on August 1.
He is expected to juggle his international commitments with his ongoing role at Parkhead.
McCarthy is in full support of the decision, saying his departure had been brought forward by global events.
“I said I was leaving and that is still the case, albeit of course it has been brought forward by what is happening worldwide,” he said.
“It is hugely disappointing (not to finish the job) but I understand it as well. I think we have had a really good campaign and the play-offs have been pushed back and I fully understand it.
“Stephen is contracted to take over in August and good luck to him. He will get the chance now to qualify.”
Kenny was a likeable, amiable coach during his time at East End Park and led the team to the Scottish Cup final on May 26 2007 against Celtic at Hampden, with the Hoops winning by the only goal scored by Jean-Joel Perrier-Doumbe.
However, that was the highlight of an otherwise grim campaign that saw the Fife club relegated from the top flight when they lost the penultimate game of the league season to Inverness Caley Thistle.
Being runners-up in the cup meant the Pars qualified for the Europa League, where they lost 2-1 on aggregate to Swedish side BK Hacken in the second qualifying round.
Kenny, who had joined Dunfermline after a hugely successful spell at Derry City, was sacked in early December and returned to coach his former club.
Meanwhile, Northern Ireland are on the hunt for a new manager with former Brechin City boss and Dundee United midfielder Michael O’Neill due to step down following the qualifying playoffs, having become boss of English Championship side Stoke in November.
But there is no change in the IFA’s position, with O’Neill due to take charge for the play-offs whenever they might be staged.