Kerr wishes Staunton success in Irish job

Former Republic of Ireland manager Brian Kerr today wished his successor Steve Staunton every success in his new job but refused to reflect on his own time in charge of the national team.

Kerr's reign ended in October with failure to qualify for this summer's World Cup and FAI chief executive John Delaney decided in November not to renew the Dubliner's contract.

Kerr, who is now in the running for the South African managers job, was speaking at an anti-racism workshop in Dublin organised by Sport Against Racism in Ireland (SARI).

"It's not really a place for me to talk about him but the one thing I will say is to wish him the best of luck and much success.  There's an interesting group of people running the team now.

"Steve was an exceptional player for Ireland in the past and he has brought in other people who have experience in management.

"Like anyone who has a real passion for Irish football and wants success for us in sport, I want them to have success and I hope they do in the future.  Good luck to them with it."

Kerr, who has kept busy since his departure by watching Leinster Senior League games and preparing for upcoming lectures he is giving, is one of 43 candidates for the South Africa job.

However, he said he has had no contact from the South African Association (Safa) in relation to his application.

"They have a (caretaker) manager in place for the African Nations Cup which starts this week so we'll take it from there and see what happens in relation to the future."

Safa chief executive Raymond Hack hopes to announce a new full-time manager by the end of February.

Speaking in a television documentary screened before Christmas, Kerr criticised the FAI for what he perceived as a lack of support from top brass towards the latter stages of his stewardship.

He also criticised the handling of the decision not to renew his contract, saying he had not been given a proper and fair opportunity to discuss his time in charge.

Today, though, he refused to dwell on his relationship with the FAI and in particular Delaney. "I have absolutely noting more to say about the FAI or how I was treated.  We have all moved on."

Kerr then applauded the deal brokered between the GAA, FAI and IRFU that paves the way for soccer and rugby to be played at Croke Park during the redevelopment of Lansdowne Road.

He would liked to have led Ireland out at Headquarters but said that was not something he had "a choice or control over" and described it as "water under the bridge."

During his time as Irish boss, Kerr was sent racist letters criticising him for having some black players and coaching staff. This, he said, emphasised how "narrow minded people can be."

"I received very vile and abusive letters about the multi-culturalism of the Irish team," Kerr said. "But it was sad really and it just shows you that there are some twisted minds around the place."

Kerr hopes that the Sari-organised 'Inter-continental league' that kicks-off tonight when China play Poland at Dalymount Park will aid the integration of people from different ethnic and cultural backgrounds and combat racism in sport.