FAI Confirm Kelly Departure

The FAI released a statement on Tuesday night confirming the departure of goalkeeping coach Alan Kelly. News broke last week that Kelly was unlikely to remain in his role with many sources publishing stories on the matter yesterday.

Manager Stephen Kenny revealed that he had accepted Kelly’s decision in a brief statement.

“Alan called to inform me of his decision and I have accepted it, I want to thank him for his time as goalkeeper coach with me and for his overall contribution to Irish football.”

Kelly was part of the backroom team for the Republic of Ireland under a number of managers including Steve Staunton, Giovanni Trappatoni, Martin O’Neill and Mick McCarthy and cited the current Covid-19 issues as his main reason for leaving the post.

“With COVID-19 still viciously circulating in our communities, it is with a heavy heart that I have decided the time is right to step down from my role with the Republic of Ireland senior international team and pass on a fantastic group of goalkeepers to a new goalkeeping coach for the upcoming World Cup qualifying campaign.”

The former netminder also re-iterated that it was a great honour to both play and coach for the association for such a lengthy period of time.

“It has been an absolute honour and a privilege to represent the Republic of Ireland as a player and coach for the last 28 years. A special thank you goes out to all the Irish International goalkeepers I have played alongside and had the good fortune to coach.”