'I think it may well be my last match' – Emotional Stephen Kenny ...
“When you set the bar high, the fall can be acute” – Kenny says nothing will ever compare to Ireland job
Stephen Kenny admitted there was emotion in the Irish dressing room after what he expects to be his final match in charge of his country, with the Dubliner admitted that nothing will ever compare to his dream role.
Kenny indicated that he spoke to his players about the future in the aftermath of a 1-1 draw with New Zealand that will bring down the curtain on his reign.
The 52-year-old opened up on the privilege of managing his country and predicted a bright future for the squad he has left behind – confirming that he had no interest in any other role within the FAI.
He said that he was touched by the support that he had received both from inside and outside of the group.
“I think it may well be my last match, that’s been well documented. I’ve spoken to the players about that. If it is, so be it, because I’ve had the privilege of managing my country,” said Kenny, who said that ‘nothing can ever’ match the joy of the Ireland position.
“I think, obviously the board are meeting next week. They’ve a decision to make. I respect whatever that decision is. Of course, it would be a dream to carry on and manage the team. My instinct is that it’s not going to happen. I respect that as well.
“From my point of view, there’s no greater honour than to manage your country, it’s a huge privilege. It was an emotional dressing room with the players there. 90pc to 95pc of the players, their careers are on an upward journey. So many great people too, it’s been a privilege in that regard, the greatest honour you can have.
“We’ve had our setbacks, I know that. It’s been amazing to know every one of those players, they’re an incredible group of people that I’ve been privileged to get to know and be part of their journey in their international career.”
Kenny said he was indebted to the public for the support he received in the Aviva and also when he was around the country, speaking of how he received good wishes for his plans.
“People say I love what you do and what you’ve done with the team, what you’re trying to do,” he said,
“But international football is ruthless, that’s the nature of it. I know that. I understood that. People get impatient, I understand that. I wanted to qualify. We all wanted to qualify. I understand that.”
In his programme notes, Kenny had referenced how ambition can bring someone to dark places and he was asked to elaborate on that point, acknowledging that he had perhaps built himself up for a fall.
“I’ve always been a bigger picture person,” he said.
“Rather than to build something step by step, you have to see what can be achieved and what can be attained and work towards that. That’s the way I see life.
“When you do that, and you set the bar high, your fall can be acute. That’s the nature of how I’ve always managed really. It leads you to incredible highs and setbacks.
“Seeing these players and working with them every day, it’s been incredible really. Even games we didn’t win, are highlights for me. Portugal away, I’ll always have to live with that. Those (Cristiano Ronaldo) goals away in injury time. The game here against Portugal (0-0 draw) was an outstanding game of football. Serbia here (1-1 draw), coming back, the third game in six days, on our knees.
“At different stages of the last few years, I’ve been under pressure a lot in that period. People speculated I was only one game away (from the sack) a few times. That could have been the truth, I don’t know. I did feel like that sometimes. But never in the dressing room, in the inner sanctum of the dressing room, never so. I think it’s a great dressing room now.”
Kenny was realistic when asked if the board were likely to stick with him to continue his work.
“There may not be the appetite for that and I respect that because sport is ruthless.
“We’ll have to see of course but I just want to say I’ve had amazing support from all of the staff, it’s been an amazing journey, first with the U-21 team and the last three senior years with the senior team.
“Every win I’ve enjoyed - a lot of the results, a lot of the performances have just fell short And, I understand the Greece games are the ones that will have disappointed.
“I don't see any other position in the organisation there,” he continued, when asked if another job in the FAI would appeal.
“Everything is filled and I'm the manager, I see myself as a coach who loves the game, loves working with players constantly, driven to achieve things. If the decision is made, I see myself (elsewhere) continuing as a manager, a head coach.”
