Brian Kerr (Irish football manager)

This article refers to the former Republic of Ireland football team manager, there is also a current football player Brian Kerr.

Brian Kerr, (born in Dublin, March 5, 1953) was the manager of the Republic of Ireland football team, until October 2005. He was appointed manager in February 2003, as the successor to Mick McCarthy, who resigned in November 2002. Kerr previously coached the Irish youth teams with unprecedented success, winning both the U-16 and U-18 European Championships in 1998, while also guiding the U-20s to 3rd at the World Youth Championship in 1997. His U-20s team in 1999, which included Robbie Keane, Damien Duff and Gary Doherty, were highly favoured and among the favourites to win the competition, but they disappointed, being eliminated in the quarterfinals by Nigeria after a penalty shoot-out.

Kerr was born and grew up in Drimnagh. He never played senior football, but began his management career in his teens, first at Crumlin United and then at Bluebell United. A laboratory assistant by trade, Kerr spent much of his working life in University College, Dublin, and continued coaching and managing teams throughout his 20's and 30's. He first worked in the Ireland setup in the mid-1980's under Liam Tuohy before a brief spell as assistant manager at Drogheda United.

In 1986 Kerr was appointed manager of St Patrick's Athletic, becoming the most successful manager in their history. He spent almost eleven years in total at the club, winning two Football League of Ireland Championships in 1989-90 and 1995-96. St Pat's were going through a tumultuous time off the pitch at the time, with crippling financial debts and the forced, if temporary, move from Richmond Park to Harold's Cross. Kerr even remortgaged his house at the time to provide much needed funds. Nevertheless, he was able to develop famed players during his period at the club such as Curtis Fleming, Paul Osam, Eddie Gormley and current Pat's manager Johnny McDonnell, as well as becoming a firm fan's favourite.

Kerr was hugely successful in taking the positive results and impressive performances of his underage sides with him to the senior level. Despite failing to qualify for the 2004 European Championships, Kerr helped Ireland regain some pride at the international level, bringing controversial former captain Roy Keane back into the fold following his dismissal from the 2002 World Cup by Mick McCarthy.

Unfortunately, Kerr was not able to match the performances of his predecessors, as shown by Ireland's failure to qualify for the FIFA World Cup of 2006. This led to his sacking as Ireland manager on the 18th of October 2005.