Republic of Ireland manager Stephen Kenny has said that he doesn't feel like he is currently in the dark about his Ireland future ahead of the November international window.
Kenny's tenure seems to be coming to an end. The games against the Netherlands on November 18 and New Zealand on November 21 are expected to be his last as Ireland boss.
The 51-year-old has won just 11 of 38 matches, equating to a 29%-win percentage. Despite the stats stacked against him, Kenny thinks the FAI's silence means that no decision has been made on his Ireland future just yet. He is now focused on the November double-header to come this month.
"I don't view [the uncertainty] as purgatory," said Kenny, speaking to the media on Thursday.
"I've asked the question; no decision has been made. If that was the case, if I knew it was the case, I probably would have released a statement or something, but that isn't the case.
"I've been told no decision has been made until after the New Zealand game, so I'll take that at face value.
"I respect that. So, from our point of view, we've just got to prepare well for Holland and New Zealand and put in strong performances over the week."
Kenny has admitted in the past that Ireland's defeat to Greece in Athens was his fault. Other embarrassing defeats to Luxembourg and Armenia were a blight on the Ireland manager's copybook. He admits that the double defeat to Greece could have costly implications for his Ireland tenure.
"We have had our setbacks, starting with the defeat against Luxembourg at an empty Lansdowne Road and losing in Armenia; there was pain with that. And then losing to Greece this year," said Kenny.
Stephen Kenny today named his Republic of Ireland squad for the upcoming games against the Netherlands and New Zealand, confident it represents a rebuild that's evolved during his reign, reports @Corktod pic.twitter.com/hU6wX8Ub4v
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) November 9, 2023
"I might pay the price for losing to Greece. If we took four points off Greece, maybe people would have a different perspective.
"We wouldn't have qualified, but people might be thinking it's alright. That might be what we are judged on, ultimately, I don't know."
There have been more downs than ups during Kenny's reign; however, the Ireland boss has remained upbeat since taking the job in 2020. Kenny highlighted how the Irish public's connection with the national team has only grown since he took over. This is something that he has been proud of.
"As they say, success is not linear, and that's reality, but I think people look at the squad, the Irish public looks at that squad, and we feel they connect with it," added Kenny.
"The reason we know we connected, it's not coming from me, it's coming from people in the FAI; they've said our attendances are 25% greater than any other team over the last 10 or 12 years.
"The game against New Zealand, before we took over, there were only 15,000 at it. Against Lithuania on a Tuesday, we had 33,000, three days after we played Belgium at home. We have had 49,000 and over 40 thousand (at other games), and the atmosphere has been pretty special.
"That's been a good part of it, and people have identified with the team."
Republic of Ireland Squad - Netherlands & New ZealandGoalkeepers: Gavin Bazunu (Southampton), Caoimhin Kelleher (Liverpool), Mark Travers (AFC Bournemouth).Defenders: Matt Doherty (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Festy Ebosele (Udinese), Ryan Manning (Southampton), Liam Scales (Celtic), Shane Duffy (Norwich City), Nathan Collins (Brentford), Dara O’Shea (Burnley), Andrew Omobamidele (Nottingham Forest).Midfielders: Josh Cullen (Burnley), Jayson Molumby (West Bromwich Albion), Alan Browne (Preston North End), Will Smallbone (Southampton), Jason Knight (Bristol City), Jamie McGrath (Aberdeen), Mark Sykes (Bristol City).Forwards: Evan Ferguson (Brighton and Hove Albion), Adam Idah (Norwich City), Callum Robinson (Cardiff City), Chiedozie Ogbene (Luton Town), Mikey Johnston (Celtic), Troy Parrott (Excelsior, on loan from Tottenham Hotspur).Fixtures - November18/11 - Netherlands v Republic of Ireland, Amsterdam Arena, 7.45pm (8.45pm local time)21/11 - Republic of Ireland v New Zealand, Aviva Stadium, 7.45pm
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