With Stephen Kenny taking the reins as Ireland boss over the weekend, here are five key things the new manager should do.
HANDLE THE TRANSITION
Ireland fans shouldn’t expect sweeping changes from the outset, but Kenny will be less inclined to dismiss the prospect of a fringe player or promising youngster playing a role in the Euro 2020 playoff.
CONVEY HIS PERSONALITY TO THE PUBLIC
Kenny is not the world’s most polished public speaker but so what?
There are few in the game who speak as passionately about it and Kenny should convey this side of his personality to the public.
PICK MICK’S BRAIN ONE MORE TIME
Just because Mick McCarthy is no longer the manager, it doesn’t mean that the line of communication should shut down.
Kenny could do worse than phone McCarthy for a detailed discussion about the squad.
DOMINATE THE DRESSING ROOM
There is a perception that Kenny might struggle to win over the senior dressing room.
Nonsense. Key men like James McClean, Seamus Coleman, Enda Stevens and Matt Doherty are products of the League of Ireland.
EMBRACE THE EUROS CHALLENGE
McCarthy is desperately unlucky not to see out his Euros mission but such is the world we live in right now.
His misfortune is Kenny’s good fortune and he must embrace the playoff challenge head on and play with no fear.
