Andrews and Duff named as assistants to Kenny

New Republic of Ireland manager Stephen Kenny will guide the national team forward with the assistance of Keith Andrews, Damien Duff and Alan Kelly after the former internationals were appointed to his backroom team.

Jim Crawford has been promoted to manager of the Republic of Ireland Under-21 side and will be assisted by John O’Shea.

Andrews joins Kenny in making the move from the under-21 set-up, while Duff has earned his coaching stripes with Shamrock Rovers and Celtic and will take up his appointment on 1 August.

Kelly continues as goalkeeping coach, having worked previously in the role with Stephen Staunton, Giovanni Trapattoni and Mick McCarthy.

Crawford has worked as Kenny’s assistant manager with the under-21s and will be joined in his new position by Waterford native John O’Shea, currently on the coaching staff at Reading.

The FAI has indicated that Robbie Keane could still have a role to play within the association, despite no mention of his name in the press release which confirmed the backroom team.

“The calibre of Stephen Kenny’s backroom team is top class and these are great additions to our senior team coaching staff,” FAI interim chief executive Gary Owens told the governing body’s official website.

Andrews has been working with Kenny at U21 level.

“Keith and Damien served Ireland so well as players and their experience will be such an addition to our senior squad’s support team.

“Keith and Stephen have worked brilliantly together with the under-21 squad, and Damien, currently finishing his UEFA Pro Licence with the FAI’s coach education department, has impressed everyone with his coaching skills and his switch from world class player to coach.

“Alan knows international football inside and was part of the squad at two World Cup finals. He is highly regarded as a coach with Premier League side Everton and has huge experience with Ireland.

“Together, Keith, Damien and Alan have so much to offer Stephen and his players as we look forward to the UEFA Euro 2020 play-offs, the Nations League and the World Cup qualifiers.”

Crawford and O’Shea will now look to build on Ireland’s positive start forged under Kenny in their bid to make the UEFA Under-21 European Championship finals for the first time.

“Everyone at the FAI is delighted with Jim’s promotion to manager from assistant and he has a great number two now in John O’Shea as he takes the next step on his coaching career,” added Owens.

“On behalf of president Gerry McAnaney, the board of the FAI and myself, I wish Stephen, Jim and their coaching teams the very best of luck in their new roles. We know they will do Irish football proud.”

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