Kerr refuses to be drawn on future

A draw at Lansdowne Road with Switzerland saw Ireland finish the qualifying tournament in fourth position behind the winners France, Switzerland and Israel.

Inevitably attention then switched to the manager and to the fact that after more than two years his contract had expired.

He was asked what the future held and he said: “I have given it my best. I have given it my full commitment over the past two and three-quarter years but it is out of my hands as you well know and I think overall our record has been quite good.”

He was asked what the FAI had to say about his position and he answered: “The Association are aware of what I would like, I have made that clear to the Association. And that’s all I’m going to say about it.”

Kerr was visibly upset at Ireland’s inability to beat Switzerland and their ultimate elimination and he was questioned about the personal criticism that had been aimed in his direction.

He said: “There are a lot of critics out there, a lot of them have not done particularly well in management, some of them have not even tried it, some of them haven’t been brave enough to have a go but they are all entitled to their opinion.”

More to the point he was asked what were the decisive issues in the qualifying tournament and he answered: “It’s been a fine line, there have been twelve matches between the four top teams and whether you like it or not Israel were half decent.

“They drew twice with France, they drew twice with Switzerland, they drew twice with us. Eleven of the twelve matches between the four top teams were draws, there was one clear result, France got a wonder goal here and that made the difference in the group.”

He went on: “I look back and I would say we haven’t had a break in the last few months at all, we haven’t had that little bit of luck that you need sometimes for something to go for you and we didn’t get it.”