Brian Kerr's lack of a role with the FAI has been deemed a "disgrace" by Damien Duff.
The former Ireland international was speaking on Graham Hunter's The Big Interview podcast when the topic of Kerr was introduced to the conversation. The former St. Patrick's Athletic manager coached Duff at underage levels, as well as with the senior Ireland side.
Kerr was in charge of Ireland's underage teams in the late 1990s and led them to success on a continental and global stage. In 1997, Kerr was the Ireland Under-20 manager, leading Duff and his team-mates to third-place finish in the World Cup. The following year, Kerr led the Ireland teams that won the Under-16 and Under-18 European Championships.
Brian Kerr led Ireland to Under-16 and Under-18 European Championship wins in 1998. © INPHO/Keith Heneghan
"The passion he brought, it was there obviously but he could always get an extra 10% or 20% out of us, [he talked] about being a proud Irishman and how your family and friends are back home thinking about you now. We used to be in tears, literally, going out on the pitch."
Kerr has worked in international football since leaving the Republic of Ireland team, but Duff is amazed how the 63-year-old is not involved in Ireland's youth setup: "I just can't fathom how he is not involved in Irish football. He is on Setanta TV and he does a bit of radio. You name any footballer in the world, and he'll tell you about them now. His knowledge of the game is second to none."
The Drimnagh native managed Ireland for two years as the side failed to qualify for the 2006 World Cup, before being replaced by Steve Staunton. "He got us to 12th or something in the World. If it wasn't for two last-minute goals against Israel, home and away, which was nothing to do with him, we would have won the group [to qualify for the 2006 World Cup]".
Download the brand new OffTheBall App in the Play Store & App Store right now! We've got you covered!
Subscribe to OffTheBall's YouTube channel for more videos, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for the latest sporting news and content.
