Stephen Kenny succeeds Mick McCarthy as Republic of Ireland manager with immediate effect

Stephen Kenny has taken over as Republic of Ireland senior manager with immediate effect, succeeding Mick McCarthy.

The Dubliner had been due to take over the role on August 1st following the expiration of McCarthy’s contract at the conclusion of Euro 2020 in July.

The postponement of the tournament due to the Covid-19 outbreak means Kenny will now take charge of Ireland’s play-off semi-final against Slovakia later this year.

Kenny was unveiled as manager of the under-21s at the same time as McCarthy was announced senior manager in November 2018.

It is expected that his under-21 assistant manager, Jim Crawford, will take the reins with the under-21s for the remainder of their European Championships qualifying campagn.

“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,” said FAI interim CEO Gary Owens.

“On behalf of President Gerry McAnaney, the Board of the FAI and myself, 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.

“On behalf of the FAI, I wish to express our gratitude to Mick for his service and commitment to our national team throughout his career and particularly in his second spell as Ireland manager.

“We wish Mick and his staff well and we thank them all for their hard work in this European Championship campaign to date.



“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.”