Irish manager Stephen Kenny has addressed the uncertainty hanging over his position.
Speaking to the media following the squad announcement for the dead rubber qualification match against The Netherlands on November 18th and a friendly match against New Zealand on November 21st, Kenny says “I have asked the question” regarding his future.
“I’ve asked the question, no decision has been made,” Kenny told the press, “if I knew it was the case, I probably would have released a statement or something, but that isn’t the case.”
“I’ve been told no decision has been made until after the New Zealand game, so I’ll take that at face value.”
He said that he respects the decision, as it gives the team time to “prepare well” for the upcoming fixtures and the relative clarity will help the team “put in strong performances over the week.”
Former Uruguay international Gus Poyet has emerged as the favourite to succeed Kenny in the hot seat, saying the atmosphere at the Aviva was “spectacular,” when he managed Greece in the return fixture in October.
Poyet has indicated he would leave the Greece job in March 2024, regardless if they succeed in the play-off for the European Championships, as his contract is due to expire.
“There is a possibility that they [Ireland] will like me, that they will contact me,” he told LiveScore.
“I congratulated them because the atmosphere (at the game) was spectacular, it was a pleasure.”
Ireland has tumbled down the world rankings since Kenny took over in 2020, failing to qualify for two European championships and a World Cup under his tenure.
The most FIFA world rankings has Ireland in 58th, languishing below the likes of Burkina Faso and Saudi Arabia.
It is understood that Kenny’s fate will be decided at an FAI board meeting in December.