The FAI has confirmed that Brian Kerr is to be the new Ireland senior team manager.
It is understood he has signed, or is about to sign, a three year contract - not, in other words, a caretaker appointment.
Brian Kerr was manager of St Patricks Athletic in the late 80s and early 90s before quitting to take over as manager of all the Republic of Ireland's U16 and U18 sides in 1997 for his second stint with the international sides.
He had previously been part of the coaching staff when the Irish Youths progressed to the semi-finals of the European Youth Championships in 1984.
In his time as manager, he has led the U20s to the semi-finals of the 1997 World Cup, and the U18s and U16s to European Championship glory in 1998.
His latest tournament saw the U20s win their warm-up competition in the UAE prior to participation in the World Cup there in 2 months time.
Creator of the 'SuperSaints'
Kerr's appointment as manager in Richmond Park in 1986 had been a major turning point in the fortunes of St Patricks Athletic.
A Drimnagh man, Brian had supported the club from his schoolboy days and he began the task of assembling a new team.
The championship was denied them in 1988 on the final day but two years later they were crowned Champions, their win now regarded as the birth of the 'Supersaints'.
When the club returned to a re-vamped Richmond Park from Harolds Cross in 1993, Kerr had the backing of newly appointed Chief Executive, Pat Dolan, and the league trophy returned there in 1996.
Kerr can claim credit for the encouragement of stars like Eddie Gormley, Paul Osam, Colin Hawkins, Trevor Molloy and Trevor Wood, and it was largely the team he had assembled which won further championships in 1998 and 1999.
Senior credentials
In the same way, players Kerr has looked after in their under-age years have already emerged into the full daylight of the senior international squad, and this is likely to be a major help to him in establishing his credentials with the senior squad.
However, one of the first tasks the media will expect the new manager to tackle is the possible return of Roy Keane to the green jersey.
Widely regarded as a no-win situation for any new manager, Kerr will have to be prepared for flak no matter which way he plays that particular hot potato.
