The Republic of Ireland have already earmarked the replacement for incoming manager Mick McCarthy.
The former Wolverhampton Wanderers and Ipswich Town boss was announced as the new manager for Republic of Ireland national team on Sunday, looking to steer the nation to Euro 2020.
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- The Republic of Ireland were relegated from Uefa Nations League B4 without a win.
- As a result, Martin O’Neill and assistant manager Roy Keane were relieved of their duties.
- On Sunday, Mick McCarthy was announced as O’Neill’s replacement for the next two years.
- But, at the same time, the FAI also revealed Stephen Kelly would replace him in 2020.
- Ireland won just one of their nine games in 2018, losing four and drawing four.
But, it appears the Irish FA are already planning further ahead with former Dundalk manager Stephen Kenny lined up to take charge in 2020.
Speaking at McCarthy’s announcement, FAI Chief Executive John Delaney gave high praise of the incoming manager: “This is a very exciting time for Irish football as we are able to welcome back a proven manager at international level in Mick McCarthy and also look to the future with Stephen Kenny.
“Mick was a great player for Ireland and then had a terrific impact as manager by guiding the team to the Round of 16 in the 2002 World Cup following a memorable draw with eventual finalists Germany.”
Delaney also spoke of Ireland’s ambitions under McCarthy, with eyes on qualifying for Euro 2020, with the nation hosting four games in the tournament.
“There is no doubt that he knows international football and has the appetite to lead the team forward again,” he added.
“Qualifying for EURO 2020 is hugely important considering we are hosting four games at the Aviva Stadium and Mick will set about achieving that as soon as we discover our opponents in next Sunday’s draw at Dublin’s Convention Centre.”
Kenny recently left his role as Dundalk manager to take over the Republic of Ireland’s under-21 side, a precursor for becoming senior team manager in 2020.
Mick McCarthy happy with planned succession
Despite his new job already having a finite timescale, McCarthy has insisted he has no problems with the FAI’s succession plan.
“I’m happy enough that it’s for two years to try and qualify for the European Championships,” he told a press conference.
“I was never ever going to turn down the chance to take the job.
“We’ll see whether it’s a good decision in two years time but I’m looking forward to it.
“It [the two-year deal] was explained when I went to see [FAI chief executive] John [Delaney] and Ruud Dokter [FAI high performance director].”
McCarthy also spoke of the advantages a fixed time frame could have on himself, giving him the freedom to move on should a better role come up in two years’ time.
He added: “You can give me all the scenarios. If we do really well and get to the [Euro 2020] final and we win it, [you will say] they will want me to say. Well there might be a push for me to stay.
“There might also be a job in the Premier League as well and I might want to move on. And if we do badly and we don’t qualify, then you won’t want me here anymore. So it kind of works for me.”
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