Kerr tipped to make his mark

Republic of Ireland Under-21 coach Don Givens believes new national team manager Brian Kerr has the attributes to make a success of the job.

Kerr will today be unveiled as the successor to Mick McCarthy after the Football Association of Ireland confirmed his elevation from youth team boss yesterday.

The 49-year-old Dubliner was given the nod for the top job ahead of several higher-profile candidates including Bryan Robson, John Aldridge and Peter Reid.

Givens told Sky Sports News: “He’ll bring great enthusiasm to the job. He’s very thorough in his approach to games, no matter what level they are at.

“He knows the players, he’s had a few of them through his hands before, and he’ll give it his best shot, that’s for sure.

“Whoever got the job had a hard act to follow. Mick McCarthy did a fantastic job and Brian will be giving it everything he’s got.

“We’re a small nation football-wise, so for us to have won the European Under-16 and Under-18 Championships is remarkable and Brian was responsible for that.”

Asked whether Kerr would make a success of the appointment, Givens added: “In the long run, it always comes down to a little bit of luck.

“Sometimes between defeat and victory there can be a fine line, and with a little luck who knows what would happen?

“Seeing what the team has done, expectation levels are way above what they should be and part of that has been done by Brian at under-age level and Mick McCarthy at senior level.

“All you can do is get your head down and do what you think is right and I’m sure Brian will do that.”

Kerr takes over two games into Ireland’s Euro 2004 qualifying campaign. They are yet to collect a point in a group including Switzerland and Russia.

His first match in charge will be a friendly against Scotland at Hampden Park on February 12. Details of his contract with the FAI will be revealed at a press conference at Dublin’s Shelbourne Hotel today.

Kerr put himself forward for the vacancy following the resignation of McCarthy last November after six years in the job.

It is understood that Kerr won a 2-1 vote from an FAI selection panel to get the job ahead of former Middlesbrough boss Robson.

Among the others who applied were former Sunderland boss Reid, former Manchester United centre-half Kevin Moran, ex-Tranmere boss Aldridge and Frenchman Philippe Troussier, Japan’s manager at last summer’s World Cup finals.

Kerr, who is expected to name Chris Hughton as his part-time assistant, takes on the role after six years in charge of the youth set-up.

During his time working with the youngsters he has successfully introduced the likes of Robbie Keane, John O’Shea and Damien Duff to the international scene.

And last week his latest batch of Under-20s won the four-nation tournament in Abu Dhabi against host nation United Arab Emirates, South Korea and France.

Kerr’s charges are also due to return to the UAE in March-April for the Under-20 World Cup finals.