In the midst of intense scrutiny and calls for his contract renewal, Republic of Ireland’s forwards, Callum Robinson and Mikey Johnston, came forward to back their manager, Stephen Kenny. Their show of support followed a convincing 4-0 victory over Gibraltar in a Euro 2024 qualifier held in Faro, Portugal.
This win, though impressive, only marked the second victory in seven Group B encounters for the Republic of Ireland, who had suffered five losses previously. The string of underwhelming performances had led to growing doubts about Kenny’s future as the team’s manager. However, Robinson and Johnston spoke up in defense of their beleaguered coach.
Robinson, who scored his ninth international goal during the Gibraltar match, spoke glowingly of Kenny’s support, saying, “He [Kenny] has been great with me and with the boys.” Robinson acknowledged that some results hadn’t met expectations but pointed out that players also share responsibility. “He put me back in the squad when I haven’t played much club football. He trusts me, and obviously I have repaid him by getting a goal,” he added.
Robinson, the Cardiff City attacker, played a significant role in the match, coming off the bench to head home the Republic’s fourth goal. The goal, which initially underwent a VAR review for possible offside, was eventually given, much to Robinson’s delight. He expressed his joy at being back in the squad after a frustrating period of injuries and emphasized the significance of the victory to the team.
Mikey Johnston, the Scottish-born Celtic winger, also made a substantial contribution to the game, scoring the Republic’s second goal. This marked his second goal for Ireland in his first start for the national team. Johnston recognized the importance of giving back to the fans after a tough loss to Greece and revealed his excitement at getting on the scoresheet. He also stressed their commitment to the manager, stating, “[We were] definitely [doing it for the manager] tonight. He cares so much, he puts everything into this, and we definitely want to get behind him.”
Kenny, on his part, acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding his future. His current contract with the Football Association of Ireland concludes at the end of this campaign, which includes a friendly against New Zealand following their final qualifier against the Netherlands. Reflecting on his future, Kenny commented, “It may well be [the end of my time in charge]. I’ll give it everything against Holland and New Zealand. There’s no doubt, of course, I want to be the manager of Ireland.” He expressed his determination to secure positive results in the upcoming games, leaving the decision regarding his future in the hands of fate.
The Republic of Ireland faces a challenging path ahead, with a final Group B campaign match against the Netherlands and a friendly against New Zealand. Despite the uncertain outcome, Kenny remains hopeful that his team can achieve success in these crucial games. There’s also a slim chance of securing a Euro 2024 play-off spot, depending on results in other matches. Regardless of the odds, Kenny’s focus remains on giving his all and striving for victory in Amsterdam against the Netherlands.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Manager Support
Why is manager Stephen Kenny under pressure?
Stephen Kenny is under pressure due to a string of underwhelming results, with only two wins in seven Group B encounters, leading to calls for his contract not to be renewed.
How did Callum Robinson and Mikey Johnston show support for Kenny?
Both players, Robinson and Johnston, publicly endorsed Kenny by emphasizing his support for them and the team, and they credited his trust in them despite previous disappointments.
What was the significance of the 4-0 win over Gibraltar?
The 4-0 victory over Gibraltar was a crucial Euro 2024 qualifier win, providing some relief for the Republic of Ireland but not completely alleviating the pressure on their manager, Stephen Kenny.
What’s the outlook for Stephen Kenny’s future as the Republic of Ireland manager?
Kenny’s future remains uncertain, with his contract ending at the conclusion of the campaign. He expressed his desire to continue but admitted that it might depend on the outcomes of upcoming matches, including the one against the Netherlands.
What’s the remote chance of a Euro 2024 play-off spot mentioned in the text?
The Republic of Ireland could secure a Euro 2024 play-off spot, but it depends on results in other games. Kenny remains focused on achieving victory in their upcoming match against the Netherlands to improve their chances.
More about Manager Support
- Stephen Kenny – Learn more about Stephen Kenny, the manager under pressure.
- Republic of Ireland National Football Team – Information on the Republic of Ireland’s national football team.
- Euro 2024 Qualifiers – Details about the Euro 2024 qualification process.
- Callum Robinson – Explore Callum Robinson’s profile as one of the supportive players.
- Mikey Johnston – Learn more about Mikey Johnston and his contribution to the team.
- Gibraltar National Football Team – Information about Gibraltar’s national football team, the opponent in the mentioned match.
- Football Association of Ireland – Details about the organization overseeing Irish football.
- UEFA Euro 2024 – Information about the UEFA European Championship in 2024.
- Netherlands National Football Team – Learn about the Netherlands national football team, an upcoming opponent for the Republic of Ireland.
- New Zealand National Football Team – Details about the New Zealand national football team, the Republic of Ireland’s friendly match opponent.
4 comments
callum and mikey are 100% behinde kenny, results not gr8 tho.
What’s next for kenny? Big challenge vs holland & new zealand.
Euro 2024 play-off slim chance, kenny focused on amsterdam win.
Cool that robinson and johnston score, gibraltar game looked lopsided.