St Patrick's Athletic have taken the unusual step of endorsing Stephen Kenny for the role of next Republic of Ireland manager, and urged other stakeholders in the domestic game to follow suit.
Kenny began his managerial career at St Patrick's Athletic as coach of their Under-21 side during his mid-twenties.
After winning the U-21 National League with the Inchicore club, he progressed onto his first senior job at Longford Town.
He has never managed the club at senior level and has presided over several of their rivals.
However, the board of the club today decided to publicly endorse Kenny as the next senior international manager, saying his appointment would "undeniably be a boost for both the grassroots and the domestic league."
"We believe Stephen Kenny is the best candidate and that he has proven he has the experience, knowledge, commitment and intellect to change the current direction of the Irish senior team.
"Stephen’s appointment would undeniably be a boost for both the grassroots and domestic leagues.
"All involved would know that the country’s game would be in the hands of a man who knows and believes that the future of the game is in the nurturing and proper and professional development of the game in schools, communities, academies and clubs countrywide.
"We hope that all stakeholders of the domestic game that agree, express their view in the public forum."
Club Statement: Supporting Stephen Kenny for @FAIreland Manager’s job 🇮🇪 pic.twitter.com/Num4SBgaj9
— St Patrick's Athletic FC (@stpatsfc) November 23, 2018
Derry City followed that later in the afternoon with their own statement.
It read: "Derry City Football Club are aware that the FAI are considering a number of candidates for the vacant role of manager of the Republic of Ireland football team including Stephen Kenny.
"We would like to wish Stephen every success in the process and if selected we believe he would be an excellent choice.
"Currently Stephen is the most successful manager in the League of Ireland and his appointment would be just reward for his commitment to the local league and the success he has achieved in raising the profile of the league in European competition.
"With a number of former Derry City players and other League of Ireland players representing the national team we would be delighted to see a former manager of our club having the ultimate honour of managing the Irish national team.
"We wish him every success."
The move has not been universally emulated with Sligo Rovers jesting on social media that they were endorsing their mascot in a similar style of statement to the Saints.
Club Statement: Supporting Benny the Bull for @FAIreland Manager’s job 🇮🇪
— Sligo Rovers (@sligorovers) November 23, 2018
(Super Red season tickets 2019 on sale now) https://t.co/9NBnwa6OY2 pic.twitter.com/FF5wh2jKLa
