'Maybe it ended quicker than it should have' - Kerr delighted to complete unfinished business

Ireland interim boss O'Shea has enlisted the 70-year-old as technical advisor for the home double-header of friendlies against Belgium and Switzerland on March 23 and 26.

BACK IN THE FOLD: Brian Kerr at the SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division match between Galway United and St Patrick's Athletic at Eamonn Deacy Park. Pic: John Sheridan, Sportsfile

Brian Kerr admits he’s yearning to help the FAI after a call from the blue to assist his former player John O’Shea.

Ireland’s interim boss has enlisted the 70-year-old as technical advisor for the home double-header of friendlies against Belgium and Switzerland on March 23 and 26 – a short-term arrangement he’s no knowledge of being extended beyond that.

Kerr was last involved with the FAI in 2005, a nine-year stint that began as their most successful-ever youth team boss by winning both the U16 and U18 Euros in 1998. 

He doubled up in that role as technical director before assuming the senior post, one curbed by John Delaney in 2005 at the end of a sole qualification campaign.

He succeeded in ending Roy Keane’s post-Saipan exile and the Cork man would subsequently convey in his autobiography his disapproval at Kerr being jettisoned.

The Dubliner had previously worked in the association as Liam Tuohy’s assistant for the U18 squad that reached the Euros and World Cup. He later managed the Faroe Islands with some success but a desire to help the Ireland cause always burnt bright.

His precise role has yet to be defined amid a busy week.

O’Shea, himself recalled for national service on Tuesday while the pursuit of a permanent boss ticks towards an early April completion according to the FAI, soon called one of his mentors with an offer he couldn’t refuse.

That was in contrast to the last one in 2019, from stopgap general manager Noel Mooney which revolved around a cryptic brief of media watchdog.

Scouting is sure to form part of this to-do list. He indirectly begins that portfolio on Sunday by seeing Belgium’s Kevin De Bruyne in the flesh. Kerr’s punditry duties will stall once Sunday’s Manchester derby is completed.

“This came out of the blue for me,” Kerr told Virgin Media, the TV channel he’s appeared on for several years, after he returned from a break abroad on Friday morning.

“I was surprised but am delighted to offer any assistance I can to John O’Shea. We’ll see where it goes.

“Without having long discussions with anybody about the role, I’m delighted to be asked.

“I had 33 games and three years in the job. It was an absolute honour at the time but maybe it ended quicker than it should have.

“That’s all well in the past; it’s all about the future now and I’m happy to be involved.

“If that means chasing balls or picking up tracksuits off the ground, I’m more than happy to make a contribution.

“But I think I’ve a knowledge and understanding of international football that will help John for this short-term (deal).”

Kerr was one of the first and consistent analysts in scrutinising the reign of Stephen Kenny, someone he’d given an initial first gateway into international football as a guest coach on an U16 trip abroad to Israel in 2000.

Never one to tolerate spin, he recurrently cited facts when the under-pressure manager opted to highlight peripheral matters to results in attempting to justify his continuity in the job.

Kerr added: “I’ve an opportunity to help bring back some of the enthusiasm that could have been lost over the last while.

“The fans heartily backed the last manager Stephen Kenny until the end. There’s never been a dilution of Ireland supporters towards the international team; probably a frustration around the results and not qualifying for tournaments. There’s no repair job to be done there but they’d like to see us winning some matches.

“If good results can be achieved in these two difficult games against top-class opposition, it will help the players’ confidence for the June friendlies and the competitive matches for the new manager.

“I’ll be going to fewer St Pat’s games for the next while but going to other games around the place to help evaluate players and give an opinion when I’m asked.”