A very strange move.
As of Friday evening, reports suggest that the FAI are set to reappoint Mick McCarthy to the role of manager, following the departure of Martin O’Neill by mutual agreement.
However, many League of Ireland clubs are taking the unprecedented step of issuing statements in support of another option: the league’s own Stephen Kenny.
Kenny has been manager of Dundalk for four seasons, winning three league titles and qualifying for the Europa League. Under Kenny, Dundalk became the first Irish team to earn a point in the group stages of the competition, and also the first team to win a game at that level, when they beat Maccabi Tel-Aviv 1-0.
This evening, Wexford FC issued a statement saying:
“While there are reports that the FAI may be going in a different direction, League of Ireland club Wexford FC are endorsing Stephen Kenny for the vacant position of International Manager of the Irish Senior Football team.
Stephen has shown the character, ability, intelligence and integrity to be a perfect choice for this demanding role. The notion that a League of Ireland manager wouldn’t have ‘what it takes’ doesn’t stand up. While CEO John Delaney may be under pressure to make a big name appointment, we would appeal to him to be brave and make the courageous decision to appoint Stephen Kenny, the right man to retrieve the fortunes of Irish international Football.”
Wexford’s statement follows a similar one from St. Pats, which read “The board of St Patrick’s Athletic FC as stakeholders in Irish domestic football, have convened and endorse and recommend Stephen Kenny for the vacant position as manager of the national team.”
Club Statement: Supporting Stephen Kenny for @FAIreland Manager’s job ?? pic.twitter.com/Num4SBgaj9
— St Patrick's Athletic FC (@stpatsfc) November 23, 2018
Sligo Rovers have taken a somewhat different approach, however, endorsing their own mascot — Benny The Bull.
Club Statement: Supporting Benny the Bull for @FAIreland Manager’s job ??
(Super Red season tickets 2019 on sale now) https://t.co/9NBnwa6OY2 pic.twitter.com/FF5wh2jKLa
— Sligo Rovers (@sligorovers) November 23, 2018