Christmas to come early for Stephen Kenny with new Ireland deal

The board will also be eager to ensure continuity of key staff. Anthony Barry’s contribution since succeeding Damien Duff as assistant coach in March has been visible but his commitments to Chelsea will place a strain on his commitments

Republic of Ireland manager Stephen Kenny applauds the fans at full time after the FIFA World Cup Qualifying match at the Stade de Luxembourg, Luxembourg City. Picture: John Walton/PA

Christmas will be coming early for Stephen Kenny, for he’ll be armed with an extended contract by the time he treks to Montreux at the foot of the Alps for the Uefa Nations League draw on December 16.

For a large stretch of his tenure, the Ireland manager had a mountainous struggle to convince his employers that a new deal was warranted but a second successive successful window proved the clincher.