Brian Kerr: 'The phrases are different, but the game hasn’t changed that much'

Republic of Ireland technical advisor Brian Kerr after the international friendly match between Republic of Ireland and Belgium at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

There were no goals to celebrate, or to ridicule, at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday evening as the Republic of Ireland held Belgium to a scoreless draw.

But that meant that arguably the biggest ovation on the day was saved for Brian Kerr when he appeared on the giant screen midway through the first half.

Kerr’s return to the Irish set-up under interim head coach John O’Shea has been warmly welcomed during this international window.

And it is hoped by many that tonight’s friendly with Switzerland is not the last time we see him in an Ireland tracksuit with a permanent successor to Stephen Kenny to be finally announced at the beginning of April.

“I suppose, in some ways, it's been quite emotional really,” Kerr told FAI TV.

“Going to the game I didn't see myself in that situation that I was in on Saturday, going to the game on the team bus and going in the team entrance with the team. I didn't actually see that coming around in my time in football again.

“So that part of it was quite emotional, being involved with the players and the staff.

"It's been emotional..." 💚

Brian Kerr speaks to FAI TV on his role as Technical Advisor, being back working with the Ireland national team and working with the coaching staff for the two matches against Belgium and Switzerland 🇮🇪 pic.twitter.com/0F8TsQBsu0

— Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) March 25, 2024

“But, you know, this is not about me, it's about trying to help out when asked in a period of Irish football that has been probably a little bit difficult lately.

“You're looking at no qualification for tournaments - I've aired my frustrations over the last few years working in the media on that – and now I was offered the opportunity to help out just for this brief period of time, to give John and the staff a dig-out, and the association.

“Whatever knowledge or experience I have, if it's of benefit to John and the lads, I'm more than thankful to be given the opportunity to give that little bit of knowledge out to the lads.

“But, as I said earlier, I don't think they need an awful lot of help, they know the game. They're experienced at international football.

“John has 118 international caps and has been working with so many brilliant coaches over the years, it’s given him a great base.

“Glenn, 91 international caps, he has seen a lot of humps and bumps along the road, he knows how the game needs to be played and equally Paddy has had a great career at different levels of the game.

“I've been kind of learning from them as much as they've been picking up a few bits from me.

“There's a whole new language around the coaching game which I find very interesting. The phrases are different, but the game hasn’t changed that much.

“It’s still about working hard, trying to win the ball back in the best areas possible on the pitch, getting people forward, getting people in the box, getting numbers behind the ball when you haven’t got the ball.

“Those basic principles of the game haven’t changed, and I think all the staff have worked very hard to remind all the players about those principles and their responsibilities in the game.

“It’s been very impressive, and I just hope we all get a reward for the game (tonight) and the crowd turns up again, gets behind the team and can see some development in the team and some action too around the goalmouths.

“As well as hoping to see victories, we like to see action around the goals, and I hope we are going to give them that.”