Republic of Ireland appoint their next two managers

Photos: Stephen Gormley (Red Eye Photo Agency)

Just like waiting on a bus, you wait five years for a new Ireland manager and two come along at the same time!

Mick McCarthy was appointed this week as the new Republic of Ireland manager, taking over from Martin O’Neil, who had been in charge since 2013. But the FAI also rather bizarrely announced at the same time that Stephen Kenny will take over the role in two years’ time in 2020.

McCarthy

will be joined by assistant managers Robbie Keane (Ireland’s all-time top scorer) and Terry Connor after O’Neil’s reign came to an end after a run of very disappointing results culminating in relegation in the UEFA Nations League last week.

McCarthy isn’t a stranger to the job as he has served before for eight years from 1996 to 2002, including qualifying for the FIFA World Cup finals in Japan and Korea in 2002.

He will have one key task – qualify for Euro 2020 before handing over the reins to Kenny in two years. Kenny has just left Dundalk after winning the league and cup double to join the Irish international set-up as their Under-21 manager and will progress to become boss of the main squad at the end of Euro 2020.

Photo: Stephen Kenny takes over now as Under21 manager

The new managers were announced this week at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, which is one of the 12 host cities for Euro 2020, with 4 matches due to be played in Ireland’s capital. Dublin will also be the centre attention again this coming Sunday when the draw for the Euro 2020 qualifiers is made.