SHAMROCK ROVERS HAVE sacked under-fire manager Stephen Kenny after less than nine months in charge.
The Tallaght club confirmed the news of Kenny’s departure on Tuesday afternoon, the day after a 1-0 loss against Dublin rivals Bohemians all but ended their hopes of defending their Airtricity League crown.
The defeat was Rovers’ fourth in the league this season, leaving them 13 points adrift of leaders Sligo Rovers with six games to play.
Assistant manager Stephen Glass will take temporary charge of the team ahead of Friday night’s FAI Cup quarter-final against Shelbourne.
In a brief statement, club chairman Jonathan Roche said: “We have not taken this decision lightly and we are extremely disappointed with the turn of events. However, the club feels that this is the right decision at this time, and attention now turns to Friday night’s FAI Ford Cup game against Shelbourne and identifying the next manager of Shamrock Rovers.
“We would like to wish take this opportunity to wish Stephen the best for the future.”
A native of Tallaght, Kenny was headhunted by the Hoops board from Derry City late last year when double league-winning coach Michael O’Neill left to take over as Northern Ireland manager.
Despite strengthening the squad through new signings, Rovers’ form was under Kenny mixed at best and the manager came under immediate scrutiny following a 5-1 defeat against title rivals St Patrick’s Athletic just five games into the new season.
The pressure continued to mount as Rovers failed to reach the heights of previous seasons, losing 4-0 to bitter rivals Bohemians in June and then crashing out of the Champions League qualifiers at the first hurdle against Lithuanian champions FK Ekranas.
Best of luck to him.
Fair play to him but is an article really necessary. I doubt that the lad wants to make a big public deal of it
@RiskFreeDuck: I can’t see the club going into that much detail on his issues without his input and consent. I would guess that he knew this type of statement would attract attention to him and he is ok with that. A lot of sportspeople are leading the way trying to show that it is nothing to be ashamed of.
Eitherway, best of luck to the lad.
Best of luck to James. My son is a Ball Boy at UCD & said that James was the most pleasant to all of them. A great keeper as well.
Best of luck to him. A very good keeper. hopefully the knuckle draggers don’t let themselves down and give him unwarranted abuse.
Thank you James for your honesty and bravery in highlighting the mental wellbeing that affects many people. Some try and hide and only get dragged into a situation they don’t want or need.
There is no shortage of help for these people and it is no slight on their character if they are accessing this help!
Good luck and thanks James!!