The FAI’s independent chairman Roy Barrett has backed Republic of Ireland manager Stephen Kenny.
Pressure continues to mount on Kenny following their surprise 1-0 loss to Luxembourg at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday night.
The loss, along with a 3-2 midweek defeat to Serbia in Belgrade, leaves Ireland bottom of their FIFA World Cup qualifying group, and any hopes of going to Qatar in 2022 are all but over after two games.
Defeat. #WEAREONE | #COYBIG | #IRLLUX pic.twitter.com/QjWzpalY9P
— FAIreland ⚽️🇮🇪 (@FAIreland) March 27, 2021
Speaking after the FAI's EGM on Sunday afternoon, Barrett, who took up his role with the organisation in January of 2020, addressed the results as well as Kenny's position.
"I've a lot of confidence and respect in Stephen [Kenny] and his team and what they are trying to achieve.
"Last night was a setback, that's all it is. I've healthy respect for what they are trying to achieve and how they are going about it.
"One game isn't going to throw everything up in the air and shouldn't. There's no doubt this has been a difficult year for Stephen, his team, and the team itself and everything that's been thrown at them.
"My observation is they've shown huge enthusiasm, a lot of professionalism, [they're] very resilient and they're pretty committed and have a lot of conviction in what they are trying to achieve and I support them on that."
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