Former Ireland manager Brian Kerr is set for further discussions with the Football Association of Ireland after holding introductory talks with its new chairman, Roy Barrett.

The 66-year-old was blackballed by the association he worked for in a number of capacities - including youth team manager and technical director - once his contract expired in 2005, just six months after John Delaney became permanent chief executive of the FAI.

With Delaney's 15-year reign ending in disgrace last year, the new regime have begun reaching out to some of those unfairly marginalised.

Newly-appointed deputy chief executive Niall Quinn has long decried the absence of Kerr from the FAI, as has another figure with clout, Liam Brady.

Where Kerr would fit into the FAI is unclear, but the upcoming vacancy at U-21 level and uncertainty over the leadership of the FAI's high-performance department could create opportunities.

Discussion

"Roy invited me to meet him for a discussion," he explained. "I was happy about that because it was the first time anyone in authority had rang me for 15 years.

"The only previous contact was from the former president Milo Corcoran - Lord rest him - asking would I become a candidate for Renua in the 2016 general election.

"The meeting with Roy was set up by the new FAI president, Gerry McAnaney. We reviewed whatever my relationship was with the FAI, giving him my views on what they should do and where they should go.

"We said there would be another chat. I might end up getting a ticket for an international match, that would be a start."

His last comment was a reference to Delaney refusing to grant Kerr the customary complimentary access to home internationals, an entitlement also removed from another former manager, Eoin Hand, when he pursued a case for unfair dismissal.

Kerr was also forced to arrange his own 20th anniversary reunions for his U-20, U-18 and U-16 squads which served the country so well at World Cups and European Championships.

Now that he’s finally feeling warmth from those in the hierarchy, though not yet set foot inside the FAI’s Abbotstown headquarters, Kerr is open to offers.

“If you’re asking if I’m going to go back into management again, I’ve no idea,” said the man who led St Patrick’s Athletic to a pair of league titles before joining the FAI full-time in 1996.

“I don’t have an ideal job and I’m not setting myself up for a job. I’ve had previous offers in football and not taken any of them.

“Whatever job I had at the time was ideal. I’m happy with my current role in punditry as it gets me to games.

“Did I enjoy coaching? Yes, I did. Did I enjoy managing teams? Yes, I did. Did anything that I’ve done ever match the buzz of being part of teams winning matches? No.”

Irish Independent