Eamon Dunphy has revealed why Stephen Kenny continues to get his backing - even in the wake of last Saturday’s 1-0 defeat to Luxembourg.
The veteran pundit has often been one of the first to call for the heads of previous Ireland managers.
But Dunphy admitted: “It might surprise some people that I still believe he is the right man for the job, considering I am usually the first person to go after a manager.
“Steve Staunton, for example, I gave him about 24 hours before I went for him!”
However, he believes Kenny is the right man for the job.
Dunphy pointed to Kenny’s passion for Irish football - from grassroots right up to senior international level.
As for some of the misfortune that has visited Kenny in his 11 games so far, Dunphy referred to, “playing in empty stadiums, injuries and the whole Covid situation for starters.”
Dunphy said: “The problems with Irish football and the senior international side did not begin with Stephen Kenny.
“I firmly believe he is trying to do the right thing by Irish football.
“He is not to blame for the fact that we have not got the players. It is simply not his fault.
“If I felt it was justified to sack him, believe me I would have no problem saying so.
“But I sincerely believe that would be a huge mistake.
“The other managers that I didn’t agree with in the end were people who looked at our players and said, f**k that, let’s play 10 behind the ball and hoof it up the park.”
Rather than debate whether Kenny should stay or go, Dunphy believes the conversation should revolve around the production of players.
“We need to reorganise and we need to re-evaluate the decision to allow League of Ireland clubs take the best young players from schoolboy clubs,” he wrote.
“My view is that we need a full review of Irish football from grassroots right up to see why we are not producing players at the same pace as England, Wales and Scotland.”
