BRIAN KERR IS set for a second, and more realistic, approach from the Football Association of Ireland to discuss ending his 15 years in exile.
The famous Dubliner, who was rewarded for unprecedented success with Ireland’s youth teams by being promoted to the senior post, has been frozen out since John Delaney issued him a P45 in 2005.
With the long-time chief executive finally off the scene, following his resignation in recent months from both the FAI and UEFA amid ongoing probes, hopes of a Kerr comeback have increased.
That prospect gained further traction over the weekend by Gerry McAnaney’s elevation to the post of FAI President.
He was emphatically returned ahead of Martin Heraghty as the choice of members on a 88-40 vote at Saturday’s emergency general meeting.
It’s no secret that McAnaney and Kerr are close.
The pair worked together on devising a development plan when Kerr was technical director before taking on the ultimate task of senior boss in 2003.
The new President, born in Dublin but living in Cork for 35 years, spoke glowingly of Kerr after Saturday’s triumph at the Crowne Plaza Blanchardstown.
Unlike former interim chief executive Noel Mooney, who last year annoyed Kerr by floating a role of “media watchdog” for him, McAnaney will be playing to the veteran’s strengths when hosting a sit-down in the coming weeks.
Niall Quinn, another fresh face inside Abbotstown from Monday as deputy chief executive, has also endorsed a return to the frontline of Irish football for Kerr.
It remains to be seen what specific post he’ll be offered but, in the first instance, a place on the new Football Management Committee could be explored.
That forum, as recommended by the governance review group, will function directly beneath the board.
It’s terms of reference includes “having a key advisory and oversight role in all football-related committees”.
Brian is on the record as saying he has no problem helping the FAI, so I would certainly be willing to talk to him,” said McAnaney.
“He is a personal friend of mine but I don’t need to tell people what he has done for Irish football over many years.
“Brian has something to give. I know him to be a man of extreme loyalty and that stretches to Irish football, through thick and thin.”
Meanwhile, the new President is convinced the right personnel are in place to help steer the FAI from its current crisis.
He has given a commitment to ensure any lay-offs arising from tackling €70m of debt won’t entail those at the coalface.
Sports Minister Shane Ross, intergal to supplying a bailout package also involving the Bank of Ireland and UEFA, is adamant that low-paid staff shouldn’t be punished for the mistakes of the previous regime.
“The boil has been lanced,” said McAnaney, in reference to the board overhaul.
“We could see at the EGM on Saturday and the recent AGM that members have found their voice. They are now dealing with a new board, including independent directors for the first time in the association’s history.
“There is high-calibre independent directors in Roy Barrett, Catherine Guy and Liz Doyle. People have been wondering how we managed to attract those when the FAI brand is supposed to be toxic.
“Then, there is our new interim CEO Gary Owens and his deputy Niall Quinn. We are certainly getting bang for our buck, albeit a buck we probably don’t have.
“The low-paid staff in the FAI are the footsoldiers keeping the show on the road week in, week out, so I would be very anxious that all of those people would be kept on.”
- Originally published at 00.01
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Good piece, shows there is life outside the premier league. Players can a decent career at lower levels in English football as many have playing in leagues one and two Wonder though playing in the sixth tier which is two divisions lower than the football league. Could he have forged a better career in the league of Ireland and combining with a coaching role
He really seemed to take Bruce’s opinion that he could make it as pro to heart. I wonder was that a genuine assessment from Bruce or an easy way for him of letting down young lads that he wanted rid of.
The clubs make big promises to these lads going over. I wonder if they would ever have the difficult conversation and be honest with a kid; telling him they were wrong, he is not going to make it and to go back to school?
Think he would have been better coming home and playing league of Ireland and European football and if he was as good as Bruce said he may have got a second chance in a higher league in England league 1 or championship like the way Keith Fahey did, but you have to admire his drive and determination I’m sure there were some tough days on his football journey.
Traffic jams, homelessness, shootings. Just enjoy it over there while you can
@Tony Donoghue: you’re taking the Micky if you think that doesn’t happen over there.
@Ciarán Ó Duifinn: maybe he’ll also cry when he leaves there then
Far better to stay in Ireland and complete your Leaving Cert (like John O’Shea). I can’t understand parents allowing their uneducated 15 year old sons to go to places like Wigan or Accrington on the chance they’ll make it as a footballer
@Virgil: they’d be well looked after if the kid made it big I guess
@STOIC SAVAGE: Couldn’t agree more, there’s players coming over to England from the back of beyond in South America who might not see their families for months if not longer, and you’re crying your eyes out and you only 40 mins away!!
@STOIC SAVAGE: lol…true
A man interested in playing ball and one sees the so called talent at so called big clubs getting paid under false pretences ducking and diving week in week out faking injurys for ridiculous wages makes one wonder where the game is !