Stephen Kenny can emulate Northern Ireland boss Michael O'Neill's success: Declan Devine

DERRY CITY boss, Declan Devine believes Stephen Kenny will quickly transform any doubters into believers as his former mentor finally gets the chance to prove himself ‘on the world stage’.
Declan Devine celebrates victory over Gothenburg in the Uefa Cup first round with Stephen Kenny.Declan Devine celebrates victory over Gothenburg in the Uefa Cup first round with Stephen Kenny.
Declan Devine celebrates victory over Gothenburg in the Uefa Cup first round with Stephen Kenny.

Kenny, who succeeded Mick McCarthy as Ireland senior manager at the weekend, has won five League of Ireland titles during spells with Dundalk and Bohemians, three FAI Cups (one with Derry in 2006) and a First Division title with the Candy Stripes, not to mention his memorable European adventures which raised his profile significantly.

Devine is in no doubt the Dubliner is deserving of the position of Ireland boss and claims Kenny’s managerial record ‘demands respect’.

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“I loved working with Stephen and learned so much from him,” said Devine. “I’m just delighted for him that he’s getting this opportunity on the world stage. Let’s not underestimate where he’s at. He’s on the world stage of football. It’s not the League of Ireland or Scottish football, he’s on the world stage and will come up against some of the best managers in the world and some of the best teams in the world.

“And rightly so. He’s earned that opportunity to go and show his ability and to try and build a team the whole country will be proud of. I for one, will certainly be looking forward to watching his team play.

“The man demands respect. He deserves respect. Not only for what he’s done here locally. Let’s not forget his record in Europe. He won a lot of games with Derry. He got to the group stages of the Europa League.

“With his footballing philosophy and footballing brain, it will take no time whatsoever to turn any doubters into believers and he’ll bring a lot of positivity in my opinion. His brand of football, the way he likes to play, the application of his teams and the way he builds teams and excites fans, it’s something we can all look forward to and embrace.

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“Nobody needs to tell Stephen that the higher you go to in football circles the more you have your doubters. You’ll always have people who criticise you but that won’t bother him in the slightest. He’s the Irish international manager. He’s at the pinnacle of his career and in the biggest job in Irish sport in my opinion.

Declan Devine celebrates Derry City's League Cup victory over Shelbourne at Brandywell with Stephen Kenny in 2006.Declan Devine celebrates Derry City's League Cup victory over Shelbourne at Brandywell with Stephen Kenny in 2006.
Declan Devine celebrates Derry City's League Cup victory over Shelbourne at Brandywell with Stephen Kenny in 2006.

“I wish him nothing but success and I’ve no doubt that all those people who are maybe having a wee swipe at him at the minute, it won’t be long until they’ve turned and realise how good an actual football man he is.”

Kenny will renew acquaintances with former Derry City winger, James McClean who flourished under his management from 2008 to 2011 while he will also have first hand knowledge of fellow League of Ireland graduates, Enda Stevens, Ronan Curtis and Sean Maguire.

And while Devine believes Kenny’s transformational work with the Irish U21 side has set him up perfectly for the top job in Irish football, he believes the senior players must all get behind him.

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“That’s the lifeblood of the country and I think it’s worked out very well that he’s had that year and a bit to bond and build relationships and get to know the younger generation. There’s a lot of talent in that U21 group. You look at (Aaron) Connolly, (Adam) Idah and (Troy) Parrott - all these guys who are coming through - Conor Masterson - there’s a lot of great players there.

MENTOR . . .  Declan Devine admits he's learned a lot from his mentor and former boss, Stephen Kenny.MENTOR . . .  Declan Devine admits he's learned a lot from his mentor and former boss, Stephen Kenny.
MENTOR . . . Declan Devine admits he's learned a lot from his mentor and former boss, Stephen Kenny.

“It’s a great time for Stephen to come in because the one thing his career has told us up until this point is that he’s not afraid to put talented young players in. You only have to look over his career to see that has been a huge part of his philosophy - he gives young players opportunities.

“He’s going to need everyone pulling in the one direction and the likes of James McClean and Enda Stevens - people he would’ve known through the league circle - will be key as well in terms of moving the thing forward.”

One man Kenny could be potentially renewing rivalries over the coming months, is Northern Ireland and Stoke City manager, Michael O’Neill who is expected to oversee the north’s Euro 2021 qualification. Of course should both N. Ireland and the Republic navigate their way past Bosnia and Slovakia respectively they will meet in the play-off final.

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Devine has worked alongside O’Neill when he was underage coach with N. Ireland and he believes Kenny will prove to be just as successful as the ex-Shamrock Rovers manager on the international stage.

“You only have to look at the job Michael O’Neill has done, having stepped up from Shamrock Rovers to bring the success he has to the north. And now you have another guy who is on a par with Michael O’Neill. I’ve worked with both of them and Stephen will do exactly the same, he’ll take the country from strength to strength.

“He’s potentially a game or two away from qualifying for the Euros. That’s incredible for him. It shows you how football can work. You’re the manager of Dundalk one minute and then you’re manager of the Irish U21s and then suddenly the senior manager. It’s the beauty of football. It’s the beauty of opportunities coming around quickly. It’s now for every League of Ireland manager to see there’s a platform for everybody.

“Stephen has had his ups and his downs and it’s about how he’s responded to his down times and disappointment which is key to him getting this job. He is such an intelligent football man. He could tell you the 1968 AC Milan team. He could name you every player who played for Real Madrid in the ‘60s.

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“His appetite to learn and study the game is something I learned very early on having worked with him over a lot of years. Football is his life. He’s been a huge student of the game and knows exactly what he wants.

“He will already have a methodology in the way he wants to work. Obviously winning is so important at that level but he will already have a plan of how he wants his team to play. He will know exactly how he will go about his job.”

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