Kerr saddened by departure

Brian Kerr has revealed his sadness that his association with the FAI has now come to an end.

"I would like to thank all 45 players who played under me during my time in charge, and I would also like to thank the fans for their support," said Kerr.

"I will now take time out to consider the next stage of my career but I intend to remain in professional football."

Kerr's backroom staff in assistant Chris Hughton, goalkeeping coach Packie Bonner and coach Noel O'Reilly have also not had their contracts renewed, although the latter duo retain their roles within the Association of technical director and regional development officer respectively.

The FAI's decision comes as no surprise, not least because of the influence of Delaney, who was the lone dissenting voice on a three-man panel when it came to finding a successor to Mick McCarthy three years ago.

Kerr's unprecedented success throughout the under-age levels in the preceding five years on that occasion swung the vote in his favour ahead of Bryan Robson, who Delaney preferred.

Kerr, though, has failed to mastermind glory for the senior team during his 33 months at the helm, despite a record that on the surface would appear to have credence.

Ireland lost just four of 33 matches, winning 18 and with 18 clean sheets, with some notable friendly scalps along the way such as Holland, Czech Republic and Portugal.

Yet competitively, Kerr won just seven of 16 games, with those victories home and away to Georgia, the Faroe Islands and Cyprus, and at home to Albania.

When the Republic needed three points the most, against France, Switzerland, Russia and Israel in European Championship and World Cup qualifiers, Kerr was found wanting as his record read: played eight, won none, drew six and lost two.

When you add into the equation Ireland were among the second seeds when the qualifying draw was made for Euro 2004 - yet come January and the draw for the 2008 championships they will be in pot four - it is perhaps easier to appreciate the FAI's standing.

Ireland have also considerably dropped down the world rankings during Kerr's tenure as FAI CEO John Delaney pointed out, adding: "The downward trend in our seedings and rankings has been very disappointing.

"It will make qualification for future tournaments considerably more difficult and that has knock-on consequences for the development of the game.

"But Brian deserved to manage Ireland, based on what he had done at under-age level and his commitment to the Irish game.

"The timing, when you look back, was correct. He deserved a shot at it, and he got a shot at it.

"In the end there was no vote, just a consensus among the board in arriving at the decision we came to."