Kenny learned from less than Par-fect spell
Stephen Kenny came to Scotland in search of a shortcut to recognition.
Instead, he found himself on a fast-track to ridicule.
For Dunfermline, it was a managerial appointment that didn’t come close to paying off.
Now, however, Kenny has been lined up to be Republic of Ireland boss.
Jim Leishman – general manager at East End Park during Kenny’s reign – reckons that 12 years later, the former Pars gaffer is reaping the reward for returning to his comfort zone after leaving Scotland.
“If you look at the circumstances of Stephen Kenny’s appointment at Dunfermline, he had enjoyed great success at Derry City in the years prior,” explained Dunfermline legend Leishman.
“He had just won the Irish League Cup and had beaten IFK Gothenburg and Gretna in the UEFA Cup.
“He was regarded as a legend at Derry City.
“At that time, Dunfermline came along and took a chance on Stephen – and there were some positives.
“He did well to take the club to the Scottish Cup Final against Celtic, losing 1-0 at Hampden to a good Celtic side.
“There was another final the next season in the Challenge Cup, which St Johnstone won.
“But things clearly weren’t good in the league and that’s where he suffered, with the club being relegated, then not starting as well as hoped the following season.”
Since being sacked by the Pars, Kenny has rebuilt his reputation back in Ireland.
His reward came when he was appointed to the role of Under-21 boss for his country – and positioned to take over the main job when new Republic boss Mick McCarthy’s contract expires in two years.
From failing at Dunfermline, his rise to international football has been greeted with incredulity on this side of the Irish Sea.
But Leishman sees no reason Kenny cannot succeed – if he makes the most of his two years with the Republic of Ireland’s Under-21s.
“Stephen ended up going back to Ireland, and it undoubtedly worked out for him there,” continued Leishman.
“I see it as going back to a comfort zone, in the sense that he knew the Irish league inside out.
“He knew the players he’d have at his disposal and the ones the opposition would have.
“At Dunfermline, he tried to bring players over from Ireland, but it didn’t work particularly well.
“The difference when he went back was that he knew the game there like the back of his hand.
“Moving from the Ireland to Dunfermline was a big step up for Stephen and it was one that proved a bit too big at the time.
“Moving from the League of Ireland to the Irish national set-up is another big step up.
“But he will have used the years since he left Dunfermline to keep learning.
“If he uses the next two years the same way, he’ll have a fighting chance of making a go of it following an experienced manager like Mick McCarthy.”