Player support mounts for Kerr
Team captain Kenny Cunningham (Birmingham City) and Stephen McPhail (Leeds United) both suggested Kerr’s success at under-age level with Ireland in leading them to success in the World Cup and European Championship meant he was well qualified for international management.
Both players were canvassed for their opinions by the Irish press corps.
“I wouldn’t see a problem” with Kerr’s appointment, said Cunningham. “Thankfully it’s not up to me to assess the criteria of every individual applicant for the job.
“I think it’s important for the players that whoever does take the job will immediately have the support and the respect of the players and hopefully that will be the case.
“That was the case when Mick (McCarthy) came into the job and I’m sure it will be when the new manager steps into that position.
“Naturally I’m not surprised that Brian is mentioned because of the success he has enjoyed at underage level with the Irish teams.
“He has a magnificent record and it is only natural his name should be mentioned alongside one or two probably more high profile managers.
“I sure the FAI will assess each man on his own merits and come to his right decision and whatever decision they do come to, naturally the players will get behind the new manager whoever he is and give him the support he deserves.”
Said Stephen McPhail: “I worked obviously with Brian throughout my schoolboy years and he has been absolutely brilliant and I won the European Championships under him and I cannot see a problem with him managing the senior squad.
"He has worked with great players, the likes of Robbie Keane and Duffer were all in the squad and he has worked with every one of them and I would appreciate it if he got the job. I don’t see a problem at all.”
Meanwhile Wimbledon manager Stuart Murdoch believes the Republic of Ireland could have ‘‘tarnished’’ David Connolly’s reputation in the row over his call-up.
Connolly, a member of the Republic’s World Cup squad in the summer, was mystified when he was left out of the original squad to face Greece by caretaker Ireland manager Don Givens, despite scoring nine goals in five games.
Givens insists the 25-year-old striker then refused to join his countrymen after a late call-up due to injuries, but Don’s boss Murdoch has accused the Irish of making a mess of the situation by failing to follow proper procedure.
He said: ‘‘I was surprised David received a phone call on his mobile on Saturday night - if that had been me I would have thought someone was pulling my leg.
‘‘There has been no contact with Wimbledon at all and that’s not how things should be conducted. To call it a communication breakdown would be polite.
‘‘It concerns me that his reputation could be tarnished because people are accusing him of not wanting to play. He loves his country and is always desperate to play for them.
‘‘There is no way David Connolly would refuse to play for Ireland. If they had contacted us in the normal way we could have told them he was injured.’’
Connolly was substituted with a recurrence of a heel injury during Wimbledon’s 3-2 win against Walsall at the weekend, and is doubtful for next Monday’s clash with Derby County.
Murdoch said: ‘‘He split the stitches in his heel against Walsall. He played with them in, which is not ideal.
‘‘I was disappointed for him that he was not in the Ireland squad from the start because his form has been outstanding.’’
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
