Players: Kerr's future must be sorted

The Football Association of Ireland is being called upon to make a swift decision about the future of national team manager Brian Kerr.

Ireland’s World Cup dreams were shattered at Lansdowne Road after a goalless draw against Switzerland denied them a play-off place, and now there lies ahead an uncertain future.

The silence that has emanated from the FAI headquarters at Merrion Square in Dublin has been deafening in recent weeks, with their lack of support for Kerr an unwanted sideshow.

An ambiguous statement today has briefly permeated proceedings but offered little indication as to which way they will turn, other than making it clear they are to sift through the ashes of Kerr’s burnt-out campaign.

It read: “The board of the FAI will now consider the implications of non-qualification and assess all issues in respect of the senior international team with a view to achieving success in future European Championship and World Cup campaigns.”

Whether Kerr remains at the helm to oversee qualification for Euro 2008 is still open to debate, although the feeling amongst the players is that it is incumbent on the FAI to not let the situation drag on.

“The speculation is going to build,” said midfielder Stephen Reid, who felt the furore surrounding Kerr in the build-up to the last two matches proved an unnecessary distraction.

“It hasn’t helped in the last couple of months, never mind the last couple of weeks, coming to a head with these last two games.

“With it in your faces all the time, in the newspapers and other media, it’s been hard. It certainly hasn’t helped, but you have to get on with it.

“Now it’s out of our hands, and in those of the people behind the scenes. There’s a decision to be made on whether he signs a new contract.

“I’ll be more than happy if he does. I personally get on well with Brian and I’ve no problem whatsoever in playing under him.

“Hopefully he will stay, and I think that’s the consensus of the rest of the players, but we will see what happens.

“For all concerned we would like the matter resolved quickly. It would be good to know one way or the other what is going to happen.”

Perhaps indicating that success is all that matters when it comes to such issues, Reid then pertinently added: “As far as I’m concerned he’s got us close, but it wasn’t close enough.

“At the end of the day, it’s now up to people who sort out those sort of things as to what will happen.”

Striker Clinton Morrison has also urged the FAI to act fast over Kerr, whose position has come under intense scrutiny due to his strained relationship with chief executive John Delaney.

When Kerr was appointed in February 2003, Delaney was the one dissenting voice on a three-man panel, prompting the inevitable suggestion the head man within the FAI will now have his way.

Morrison, who feels the players “only have themselves to blame”, added: “It’s going to be a difficult time ahead now because there’s going to be a lot of speculation.

“Brian has done a good job, but as a manager you are judged on results and qualifying for championships. Now it’s up to the FAI and whoever deals with these things.

“I’m happy to see him stay in the job. He has been brilliant for me since I came into the squad, and hopefully he will stay. I think most of the players will back him.

“But he’s said nothing to us. Why would he talk to us about his job? I do know he has tried to cut out what people have been saying.”

There were certainly no goodbyes from Kerr towards his players in the dressing room at the end of the game, and it is understood they saw nothing of him at the team hotel in Portmarnock this morning before they departed to rejoin their clubs.

“Why should he say goodbye?” said Morrison. “Nothing has been decided yet. If he does get the sack then he will probably call us all and say goodbye then.

“But for the players, it’s important now things are sorted out.”