Liam Brady: Stephen Kenny deserves credit
8 December 2023; Liam Brady with the International Achievement Award during the SSE Airtricity / Soccer Writers Ireland Awards 2023 at the Dublin Royal Convention Centre in Dublin. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
Stephen Kenny “deserves credit” for bringing through several young players during his time in charge of the Republic of Ireland but his successor needs to be “cute” to improve results according to Liam Brady.
During his three-and-a-half-year reign as manager, Kenny gave 26 players their competitive debut but Ireland fell well short in their bit bid to reach a major tournament.
Brady had previously been critical of the standard of the Irish squad but speaking after collecting the International Achievement Award at the Soccer Writers Ireland’s annual banquet, where Stephen Bradley and Karen Duggan were named the Men’s and Women’s Personality of the Year respectively, the Ireland and Arsenal legend shared his thoughts on the challenge facing the next boss.
“It’s a very young squad which reflected Stephen Kenny’s way of working and bringing players through,” began Brady.
“It will help his successor that there are players with plenty of games at international level under their belts and there is a squad of players to work with. For that, Kenny deserves credit.
“I got a reaction earlier this year when I said I felt this was one of the worst Ireland squads I’d seen. I meant it was one of the least talented in terms of where the players were playing compared to my time with Ireland when we had players at bigger clubs.
“We’ve a few more players playing in the Premier League this season which is also a help to the new manager who has got a fighting chance, I feel.
“He needs to be cute and find a way to get results, especially against the teams we are expected to beat. That’s where we’ve fallen down in recent campaigns.
“It’s disappointing to be missing out on the Euros next summer especially when so many teams are involved these days. When we got there in 1988 there were only eight group winners in the finals.
“With 24 teams, we should be capable of qualifying for the Euros. It’s disappointing that Euro 2016 under Martin O’Neill is our last time to qualify.
“I know getting to World Cup in 2026 will be difficult. Two years after Euro ’88, we came second to Spain in our group and qualified for the World Cup.
“Now, second place only gets you a play-off, so that’s become harder.”
The problems at Ireland are a stark contrast to the current situation at Arsenal as Brady’s former club are currently two points clear at the top of the Premier League.
The Gunners face a tough test away at third-place Aston Villa this evening and while the 61-year-old believes their experience of being involved in a title challenge last season will stand to them, he insists the race won’t truly begin for another few months.
“It’s only December and there is a long way to go. It’s like the Gold Cup at Cheltenham," added Brady.
“The runners haven’t yet turned into the straight for that punishing uphill climb.
“In some ways, it’s like last season for Arsenal where the team was top at this time, as they are now, and people were predicting they could go on and win the league.
“I felt the squad wasn’t as strong as it needed to be. Losing Saliba was a huge blow, and Jesus too. City came through and passed them but that experience will stand to everyone.
“With games to come in the Champions League in the spring, it becomes a mental strain as much as a physical one.
“There are a few question marks over the defence. Conceding three goals to Luton is not what you’d expect from Arsenal. The goalkeeping situation could become something of a talking point for (Mikel) Arteta.
“Saka is getting better and better. He’s becoming an Arsenal legend already for someone so young. Saliba too is only 22 and is a quality defender, immense.
“Jurgen Klopp has revamped Liverpool and they’re a serious threat. (Manchester) City have dropped a few points but they are still the team that sets the standard. When Kevin De Bruyne is back, he’ll give them an extra impetus.
“Newcastle have continued on from last season, Aston Villa have improved too. Come March, we’ll have a better idea where everyone stands.”
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