David Clifford hopes Jack O'Connor 'might reverse his decision' on Kerry future

Clifford said the Kerry players would 'love' O'Connor to remain as manager. O'Connor suggested after the Kingdom's All-Ireland final victory over Donegal that his time as boss could be over

David Clifford said Kerry manager Jack O'Connor's biggest strength is his honesty. Pic: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

David Clifford says the Kerry players would love All-Ireland winning manager Jack O'Connor to 'reverse his decision' and to stay on for a shot at back-to-back titles.

O'Connor completed his fourth season in his third spell as senior manager when Kerry defeated Donegal in last month's Croke Park decider.

In all, the south Kerry man has managed the county senior team for 11 seasons across a 21-year period between 2004 and 2025.

Speaking immediately after the most recent All-Ireland win, O'Connor told GAA.ie that he'd "enjoyed it but I'm a long time at it now so we'll see. We'll leave somebody else at it".

The following morning, whilst speaking to reporters at the Kerry team hotel, O'Connor expanded on his situation and said he was close to quitting after a "particularly tough" 2024.

PwC GAA/GPA Player of the Month for July in football, David Clifford of Kerry, with his award at PwC offices in Dublin. Pic: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

"I'm not sure I can put myself through that stuff again," he said, promising to make a decision sooner rather than later and not to 'keep people hanging on'.

Iconic attacker Clifford, favourite to land a third Footballer of the Year award, said the panel would love the Dromid Pearses man to remain as manager for 2026.

"Absolutely, absolutely," said Clifford, who is the PwC GAA/GPA Player of the Month in football for July after starring in the semi-final and final wins over Tyrone and Donegal.

"I haven't actually been talking to him much in the last few weeks. It's just been kind of busy but look, we'd love for him to stay on. He's the man for the job at the moment. Hopefully he might reverse his decision and stay on."

O'Connor overhauled his backroom team ahead of the 2025 season and also had to navigate extensive rule changes this year though still managed to get his hands on the Sam Maguire Cup for the fifth time as manager.

"Probably his biggest strength is that he's very honest," said Clifford of the 64-year-old retired schoolteacher. "You kind of always know where you stand with him, whether it's a positive or negative thing, as in that he's going to be telling you how it is. So that's a big positive. And look, he's just very wise, I suppose.

"There's not many things that can happen throughout the year that he hasn't experienced before. He seems to know, generally, when to panic or when not to panic, or when to keep it calm. It's just probably his wisdom that is the thing and he's good fun around the place.

"He keeps it light-hearted when it needs to be light-hearted and serious when it's serious. That's probably the big thing."