Michael Bolton
Former Republic of Ireland manager Stephen Kenny has been appointed as manager of St Patrick's Athletic.
Kenny has been out of management since his contract with Ireland ended in November. Kenny joins on a five-year deal, with the FAI Cup winners currently seventh in the table.
He takes over from Jon Daly, who was sacked earlier this month.
Kenny is the most successful manager in the League of Ireland, winning five league titles, and three FAI cups. He also qualifyied Dundalk for the group stages of the Europa League.
He left in 2019 to manage the Ireland U21s, before taking over as manager of the senior side in 2020.
St Patrick's Athletic are thrilled to announce the appointment of Stephen Kenny as First Team Manager.
The 52-year-old returns to League of Ireland management after five years working in international football, and has signed a contract at Richmond Park to take him to the end of… pic.twitter.com/s8weMQCs4w
— St Patrick's Athletic FC (@stpatsfc) May 16, 2024
“𝗜𝘁’𝘀 𝗮 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝗻 𝗺𝘆 𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲 & 𝗮 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗹𝘂𝗯” pic.twitter.com/DIIqLfHq8e
— St Patrick's Athletic FC (@stpatsfc) May 16, 2024
Kenny's first game in charge will be against Derry City on Friday, before St Pat's take on top of the table Shelbourne on Monday.
Speaking on his appointment, Kenny said: "It's been a bit of a whirlwind, I'm looking forward to getting started, it's a new chapter in my life and a new chapter for the club, and I'll be giving it everything.
"Garrett Kelleher has shared his vision for the club with me for a long time, he has plans for the Stadium, to expand the club into America, European progression and a lot of exciting plans really.
"The reason I signed a longer contract is the build the club over a period of time, and I'm looking forward to driving it forward.
"My mother used to come to watch St Pat's, she's from Inchicore and lived in Ballyfermot, so there's a good connection there.
"It's a big job ahead to re-build and to drive the club on. It's such a busy time now with three games in a week and we look forward to it."
