McCarthy new Ireland boss... but not for long!
STEPHEN KENNY is the heir apparent to the Republic of Ireland throne after it was confirmed he will replace Mick McCarthy as senior manager after the Euro 2020 finals.
On a day of high drama in Irish football history, Kenny agreed to end his tenure as Dundalk boss and take the reins with the Ireland Under-21s, but only after he was given a guarantee by FAI chiefs at a meeting in association headquarters that he will succeed McCarthy in two years’ time.
A week which began with Martin O’Neill still in charge will end with McCarthy confirmed as his successor at a press conference today, during which time the details of the arrangement with Kenny will be officially confirmed.
McCarthy, who on Friday penned a two-year deal worth €2.4 million, has thus become the first Ireland manager to be appointed and replaced inside 24 hours.
On an astonishing day, Kenny’s last act as Dundalk manager was to meet with FAI chief executive John Delaney, high performance director Ruud Dokter, along with his own representative in Abbotstown.
Kenny previously rejected the chance to become the U21 boss in recent weeks, and met with John Giles, who was operating on behalf of the FAI, regarding the senior post before McCarthy was offered it this week.
But Kenny yesterday agreed to succeed Noel King after
McCarthy gave his ‘100 per cent support’ to the succession plan. He earlier agreed a contract to manage Ireland until the end of June 2020. Should the FAI fail to extend his contract beyond that point, McCarthy will be guaranteed a seven-figure compensation package on top of his €1.2m-a-year wages.
It seems the FAI are prepared to pay this sum in the light of their offer to Kenny (right).
The Dubliner, who led Dundalk to four titles, including two League and FAI Cup doubles, will spend two years learning about international management with the U21s before stepping up to the top job.
McCarthy is keen to appoint Shay Given as the new Irish goalkeeping coach as he puts the finishing touches to his backroom staff.
Given, 42, currently holds a similar post at Derby County and has emerged as a target for McCarthy, who capped him at 19 in his first game as Irish manager in 1996.
Dean Kiely, the goalkeeping coach at Crystal Palace, is also in the frame but Given is understood to be the new manager’s preference, assuming Derby boss Frank Lampard agrees to release him.
If Given comes on board, he would join fellow Irish centurion, Robbie Keane on the new-look ticket.
Keane, 38, has not yet retired but his new role with Ireland is expected to confirm the end of an illustrious playing career on the front-line, stretching back 21 years.
McCarthy’s right-hand man is Terry Connor, the former Leeds and Brighton striker. Connor, 56, began coaching at Swindon before moving to Wolves where he held a number of positions before being appointed as assistant when McCarthy arrived as manager in 2008. They had four years together at Molineux before six more at Ipswich Town.
McCarthy will be presented to the media at the Aviva Stadium today, where he will review the twists and turns of the week’s events, introduce his back-room team and outline his ambitions.
Kenny will be rolled out at the same time tomorrow. Two Irish managers in successive days. Remarkable.
To think this time last Sunday, O’Neill was in charge and preparing for the final Nations League game, away to Denmark.
He was also armed with a lucrative contract and his position seemed secure but behind the scenes the FAI hierarchy had their doubts following the sterile scoreless draw against Northern Ireland.
They were eyeing up not one manager, but two.