Stephen Kenny: 'It's a good day but we're not in celebratory mode - our thoughts are with the frontline workers'

Like his predecessor, Stephen Kenny admitted the manner of his succession to the post of senior Ireland manager is tinged somewhat bittersweet.

Kenny was announced as manager with immediate effect on Saturday after the FAI decided to bring forward his succession in place of Mick McCarthy.

McCarthy had been scheduled to take Ireland through to the end of the Euro 2020 campaign, however the postponement of the tournament until next year forced a rethink.

The FAI confirmed on Sunday that Kenny will be assisted by Keith Andrews, Damien Duff and Alan Kelly, while Jim Crawford will step up to the role of under-21s manager.

“It's a good day but we're not in celebratory mode,” the Dubliner said on FAI TV.

“Our thoughts are with the front line workers, the doctors, the nurses, the paramedics. The self sacrifice is heroic and we really support them. We have to stay safe and look after each other.

“There is a lot of tragedy throughout Europe and in Ireland people have been very disciplined throughout the country and hopefully we get the benefits from that.

“A lot of people have lost their lives of course and our thoughts are with them.

“There are better days ahead and we can look forward in a sporting context to what is a magnificent year of football over the forthcoming year.”

The upside of Kenny’s early appointment is that he, not McCarthy, will lead Ireland into the Euro 2020 play-off against Slovakia sometime later this year.



That means Kenny could face as many as nine games before the end of the calendar year, though the exact schedule is yet to be worked out.

“It’s incredible really. Unprecedented. You’ve got the Euro playoffs against Slovakia, of course, and the Nations League...

“Six games in the Nations League and also World Cup qualifiers this year. That’s never happened before where you’ve got Euro playoffs, Nations League and World Cup qualifiers in the same calendar year.

“Nine games between September and November is an incredible schedule. We have a lot to look forward to. There are better days ahead.”

He added: "Mick has had a tremendous career as captain of Ireland and as manager on two occasions.

“He leaves a legacy behind him and it's just unfortunate with the cancellation of matches, it's been an unfortunate situation. He's revered in Ireland."