St Pats await feedback from Stephen Kenny about succeeding sacked FAI Cup winning boss Jon Daly

Saints owner Garrett Kelleher is on the hunt for his fourth boss in 30 months after sacking Daly of his duties in the aftermath of his seventh defeat of the 15 league games, Monday’s 1-0 reverse at Sligo Rovers.

WANTED MAN: Former Dundalk and Republic of Ireland manager Stephen Kenny in attendance at the SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division match between Dundalk and St Patrick's Athletic at Oriel Park in Dundalk, Louth. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile

St Patrick’s Athletic will persist with their pursuit of number one target Stephen Kenny beyond Friday’s derby against Shamrock Rovers after opening negotiations with the former Ireland boss to fill their managerial vacancy.

Saints owner Garrett Kelleher is on the hunt for his fourth boss in 30 months after sacking Jon Daly of his duties in the aftermath of his seventh defeat of the 15 league games, Monday’s 1-0 reverse at Sligo Rovers.

It’s also understood Stephen Rice, currently working on John O’Shea’s interim coaching staff with Ireland, is on the shortlist as a potential back-up option. The Dubliner was previously in charge of Crystal Palace’s U21 squad.

Kenny began his coaching career with the Saints as their U21 boss in the late 1990s, the precursor to a decorated career in the League of Ireland and Scotland.

Since the 52-year-old’s three-and-a-half tenure as Ireland boss was ended by the FAI last November, he’s had approaches from two other former clubs, Bohemians and Dundalk, but ultimately spurned their overtures.

He retains ambitions of managing abroad - Plymouth Argyle shortlisted him before appointing since sacked Ian Foster and there were links to the Port Vale vacancy - but Kelleher is renowned for his powers of persuasion.

News of Daly’s midday sacking wasn’t accompanied by an update on the caretaker boss for Friday’s trip to face the champions Shamrock Rovers. That was only addressed later when Daly’s sidekick, Sean O’Connor, was installed on an interim capacity while they await developments with Kenny.

Although it’s believed Kelleher is eager to land the big name of Kenny, wage demands will be critical.

Anything close to the €560,000 annual salary he ended his FAI stint on is unrealistic for all parties but Kenny would still expect to be paid handsomely and rewarded for progression in the Europa Conference League campaign upcoming in July.

Daly was handed the reins after impressing during a three-week caretaker arrangement following the axing this week last year of Tim Clancy, whom he’d flanked since they replaced the departed Stephen O’Donnell in December 2021.

Under his stewardship, the Saints finished third in the league, 10 points behind champions Shamrock Rovers, but moreover lifted the FAI Cup, beating Bohemians for the second time in three years before a record crowd at Lansdowne Road of 41,238.

There were major expectations around this first full season but Daly had to endure a raft of departures, especially at the back where defenders Sam Curtis, David Norman and Jay McGrath all departed following the Cup triumph, along with striker Mark Doyle to America.

A sense of bewilderment surrounded the parting of goalkeeper Dean Lyness while Daly lamented striker Tommy Lonergan moving to Fleetwood Town, vowing to outlaw the type of release clauses that triggered his exit.

Losing captain Joe Redmond again to injury this season has been another blow to his rearguard unit.

Daly’s sacking came after a Bank Holiday Monday defeat in Sligo, the replica circumstances of the fate befalling Clancy. He has since taken charge of Cork City and has them firmly on track for promotion.

Saints sit seventh in the table after just one win in six matches, albeit just two points off the last European qualification berth of fourth currently occupied by newly promoted Galway United.

While they enjoyed a home victory over the champions last month, three consecutive defeats following their opening night win in Galway brought the spotlight on the 41-year-old’s project.

Chairman Kelleher, speaking in a brief, blunt statement, said: “We would like to thank Jon for his time at the club, and in particular our FAI Cup success last November. We wish Jon the very best for the future.”

Daly repeatedly dampened talk of crisis by citing the closeness of the table but billionaire Kelleher has swung the hatchet four days before Rovers stage what’s shaping up to be a monumental Dublin derby.