Republic of Ireland manager Stephen Kenny accepts he might lose his job after his side’s international friendly against the All Whites on November 22 (NZT).
Out of contract in December and facing a performance review, Kenny has acknowledged speculation he will be axed.
“I am not making a plea; I am certainly not doing that,” he told the Irish Independent.
“My contract is up after the New Zealand game. I am very privileged to manage Ireland. It’s a transitional phase but you can see the squad now.”
Asked if New Zealand could be his final time in charge, he said: “It may well be the case. I’m just very focused on what we have got to do, I can make decisions after that based on when I’m informed either way.”
Main photo: Stephen Kenny … faces the loss of his job after Ireland’s poor form in the Euro 2024 qualifiers.
Kenny has named a 24-man squad to play New Zealand and the Netherlands, who they meet four days earlier in their final UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying campaign.
Recalled to the Ireland squad are Tottenham Hotspurs forward Troy Parrott who has found form on loan to Excelsior Rotterdam in the Dutch Eredivisie, and Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher who missed the October international window through injury.
Squads
Republic of Ireland
Goalkeepers
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)
Manager: Stephen Kenny
New Zealand
Goalkeepers
Max Crocombe (2 caps) Burton Albion FC, England
Alex Paulsen (0 caps) Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand
Michael Woud (5 caps) Ventforet Kofu, Japan
Defenders
Tyler Bindon (2 caps) Reading FC, England
Michael Boxall (45 caps) Minnesota United, USA
Liberato Cacace (17 caps) Empoli FC, Italy
Tim Payne (33 caps) Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand
Nando Pijnaker (14 caps) Sligo Rovers, Ireland
Tommy Smith (50 caps) MK Dons, England
Finn Surman (0 caps) Wellington Phoenix, New Zealand
Dalton Wilkins (2 caps) Kolding IF, Denmark
Midfielders
Joe Bell (15 caps) Viking FK, Norway
Matthew Garbett (16 caps) NAC Breda, Netherlands
Clayton Lewis (24 caps) Macarthur FC, Australia
Callum McCowatt (14 caps) Silkeborg IF, Denmark
Sarpreet Singh (10 caps) FC Hansa Rostock, Germany
Marko Stamenic (16 caps) FK Crvena zvezda / Red Star Belgrade, Serbia
Forwards
Joe Champness (8 caps) Adanaspor, Turkey
Alex Greive (11 caps) St Mirren FC, Scotland
Eli Just (18 caps) AC Horsens, Denmark
Max Mata (6 caps) Shrewsbury Town, England
Ben Waine (10 caps) Plymouth Argyle, England
Chris Wood (72 caps) Nottingham Forest, England
Head coach: Darren Bazeley
Fixtures
Game to be played on Saturday November 18, 2023 (NZT)
Greece v New Zealand
Georgios Kamaras Stadium, Athens, Greece, 6am TBC (NZT)
Game to be played on Wednesday November 22, 2023 (NZT)
Ireland v New Zealand
Aviva Stadium, Dublin, 8.45am (NZT)
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