Stephen Kenny makes management return after agreeing five-year ...
Stephen Kenny's last game as Ireland manager came in November 2023.
Stephen Kenny is back in football management after St Patrick’s Athletic announced the Dubliner as their new first-team boss.
Kenny finished his tenure as Ireland manager last November and after being linked to a number of vacancies, he has decided to take over the Saints.
Kenny says he sees his new post as a long-term project to rebuild the club.
The Dubliner, who began his coaching career with St Pats with their U-21 side back in 1997, was today named as their new manager, their fifth in five years, on a five-year deal, and he will be in the dugout for Friday’s game at home to his former club Derry City.
"It's been a bit of a whirlwind, I'm looking forward to getting started, it's a new chapter in my life and a new chapter for the club, and I'll be giving it everything.” Kenny said.
“Garrett Kelleher has shared his vision for the club with me for a long time, he has plans for the Stadium, to expand the club into America, European progression and a lot of exciting plans really. The reason I signed a longer contract is to build the club over a period of time and I'm looking forward to driving it forward.
"My mother used to come to watch St Pat's, she's from Inchicore and lived in Ballyfermot, so there's a good connection there. It's a big job ahead to re-build and to drive the club on. It's such a busy time now with three games in a week and we look forward to it."
Today's Sport News in 90 Seconds - 16th May
Pat’s are guaranteed European football this summer but Kenny faces a challenge to get the under-performing side back into the top four after a poor run of form. They have just one win in seven games and Kenny has a stiff test to begin with, a game at home to Derry on Friday followed by derbies next week against Shelbourne (Monday) and Bohemians (Friday).
Kenny had been out of work since he left his post as Ireland manager in November. He was the subject of interest from clubs in the UK and Switzerland but leads did not pan out while he was also offered the chance to return to Bohemians when they sacked Declan Devine in March but he held off and has now returned to Inchicore.
