Updated at 14.14
BRIAN KERR SAID he has received no contact from the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) in the last 12 years amid renewed calls for him to be involved in the national underage system again.
The 64-year-old enjoyed two spells of unprecedented success with Irish youth teams in the late 80s and 90s, most notably winning a bronze medal at the 1997 World Youth Championships, in addition to triumphing at the U16 and U18 European Championships.
Kerr was then appointed the senior national team manager in 2003 but after a disappointing tenure in charge, was cast aside by the FAI in 2005 and hasn’t held a role within the association since.
Speaking after last week’s World Cup play-off defeat to Denmark, both Liam Brady and Eamon Dunphy have suggested the best move forward for Irish football would be to bring Kerr back into the set-up.
Appearing on TV3′s Champions League coverage last night, the Dubliner was asked whether he would be interested in a position within the FAI to aid the development of young players if such a role became available.
But Kerr, who held roles with St Patrick’s Athletic and the Faroe Islands national team over the last 12 years, says he hasn’t been approached by anyone in the FAI since his contract was terminated in 2005.
“Well I’m not promoting this discussion at all,” he said.
“What I would say is I had two long spells, one under Liam Tuohy back in the 80s when there was a lot of success under his management with Noel O’Reilly and I enjoyed that very much.
No contact from the FAI in 12 yrs.
— TV3 Sport (@TV3SportIreland) November 21, 2017
Brian Kerr plays down calls from Brady & Dunphy for a return to the Irish football set up#COYBIG#TV3UCL pic.twitter.com/fLhDWNNoku
“Then I had almost another 10 years at it and I enjoyed that very much and we had a lot of successful times but I’ve had no approach from anyone in authority in the FAI to do anything for them since the day my contract was terminated.”
Presenter Tommy Martin further posed the question to Kerr whether he’d like to be back involved.
He replied: “That’s a very awkward one, Tommy because it hasn’t appeared like anything like that was going to happen. I’ve had no inkling towards that happening over the last dozen years so I’ve gone away worked abroad, I’m working here and doing media stuff.
“I’m staying in touch with the game but I’ve had no approach from any side of the FAI that has any indicated they’ve any interest in using me.”
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