February 16, 2011
By Staff Reporter
Other contenders, such as John Aldridge, Peter Reid and Bryan Robson, have publicly expressed interest in the post. However, no one until Kerr had announced a formal application.
“I was keen on the opportunity from the moment the position became available, but there were a number of issues that I needed to consider before making a final decision,” said Kerr, who is the FAI’s technical director.
Many of the younger crop of international players, such as Robbie Keane and Damien Duff, have expressed their support for Kerr. But the 49-year-old Dubliner, who guided youth teams to two European titles as well as a third place at the World Championships, has no experience of managing in England, where the vast majority of the leading Irish players are based.
Meanwhile, as the embattled FAI considers a plan to restructure an organization, which was severely criticized following the fiasco surrounding the sending home of Roy Keane before the World Cup finals, it has emerged than several high-profile former players have rejected overtures to become advisers in the search for a new manager.
It is believed that Liam Brady, Kevin Moran and Andy Townsend were approached by the FAI to become involved in the selection process for McCarthy’s successor, but all three turned down the offer.