CONTRACT EXTENSION ONLY SENSIBLE OPTION
The welcome news of a two-year contract extension will have come as no surprise to those paying close attention to Irish football. But I was nonetheless feeling warm and fuzzy when the I heard the news.
Maybe it’s coincidence, but I can’t help but feel that the air just feels that little bit fresher and food tastes that little bit better.
Don’t get me started on the number of times I was almost knocked over by the dancing in the streets…
Now, if you’re still not on the Good Ship Kenny. And you’re one of those who craves for the old days of bolstering the pension pot of an outdated and out of touch manager… Well, sorry, but you’re out of luck. Because even if the FAI were stupid enough to hark back to those dark times, they have less money than the Central bank of Russia.
So, I don’t think Sam Allardyce will be showing up at the Aviva anytime soon. Unless he gets the Oman gig of course… No, I’m afraid you’re going to be stuck with the patient rebuilding for now — Maybe try FIFA?
Surely, it would have been nothing short of madness to destroy the good work and most importantly the momentum that the Ireland manager has built up over the last few months. Would it not?
Surely, with time and the introduction of young and exciting talent, we are witnessing something of a rebirth for the national team. An identity-change that our last FIVE managers appeared to be completely allergic to. Not to mention shedding the tag of the “British style” bollocks. The Boys in Green have finally been dragged kicking and screaming 21st century and it’s about bloody time.
Of course, you’ll still hear the “Oh, but we lost to Luxembourg” nonsense being bandied about. Funny, because those same people are always quick to forget that we got our revenge with a sweet 0–3 drubbing. Sorry folks, but you can’t have it both ways…
A huge factor in Kenny’s contract extension will be that Ireland got better, not worse, as the campaign drew towards its inclusion. Something that I had passionately argued during those turbulent early days.
Don’t get me wrong, if fortunes were reversed and mirrored those of Brian Kerr’s tenure, I’d be certainly questioning a new contract. Kerr, who seems to make a living these days taking pot-shots at Kenny, and anything remotely associated with the FAI, had his chance.
Kerr’s own World Cup odyssey had started brightly but, in the end, accumulated in ruination through player fallouts and shocking tactical decisions. If Kenny’s own World Cup campaign had followed suit, I’d have been calling for the axe myself, I genuinely mean that. Thankfully, it didn’t.
Highest win record of any Ireland manager, yes, but Kerr’s Ireland couldn’t do it when it mattered in competitive games. I’m sorry, but only managing to beat teams outside of the top 80 in the World, is poor. Also, Kerr had the pick of an Ireland squad that only Stephen Kenny could dream of.
Even after poor results, video-gates, coaches walking out and media friends of former Ireland managers trying to push or even create division within the squad, the team has stuck firmly behind the manager. They understand what Stephen Kenny is trying to achieve. And so do the fans. Well, most of you. The trendy ones, at least.
The current Irish team is awash with positivity right now and Stephen Kenny has got a lot to do with that. The FAI have announced record season ticket sales of over 18,000, which goes to show you that the #KENNYOUT brigade are firmly in the minority and dwindling. Players are strutting their stuff, playing with huge smiles on their faces and enjoying their football.
Why wouldn’t they? They finally have a manager who believes in them, rightly or wrongly.
A positive performance and result against Belgium and Lithuania will surely only bolster that feel good factor and get even more behind the Boys in Green. Of course, Kenny must keep producing results and performances, otherwise the naysayers will be all over him like a pigeon on a chip.
Because, for some perverse reason, people just want to watch Stephen Kenny fail.
David, The Green Machíne Podcast
