Alan Kelly: Goalkeeping coach steps down from Republic of Ireland role
- Published
Alan Kelly won 34 caps for the Republic of Ireland
Republic of Ireland goalkeeping coach Alan Kelly has decided to step down from the role due to ongoing concerns regarding the Covid-19 pandemic.
Kelly's departure comes just four days after Damien Duff stepped down as one of manager Stephen Kenny's assistants.
"Alan called to inform me of his decision and I have accepted it," said Kenny in a statement from the FAI.
"I thank him for his time as goalkeeper coach with me and for his overall contribution to Irish football."
Kelly follows Duff out the exit door ahead of the 2022 World Cup qualifying campaign that begins away to Serbia on 24 March.
It is another blow for Kenny who is still seeking his first win in charge after a challenging six months.
Last November Kelly opted to leave the camp ahead of the Nations League clash with Bulgaria due to health reasons, and he has now decided to step away permanently.
"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," he said.
"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."
Kelly has carried out the role at international level under Stephen Staunton, Giovanni Trapattoni, Martin O'Neill, Mick McCarthy and now Kenny.
The 52-year-old found himself unwittingly at the centre of the controversial pre-match motivational video shown to players before the friendly fixture against England at Wembley, issuing a statement to strenuously deny that he leaked details of the video to the media.
"I am now absolutely furious and disgusted with the narrative and innuendo being created in the media that this decision is somehow linked with stories leaked to the press out of OUR dressing room," he said at the time.
"I can say, with 100% certainty, that I have never bleated to the media in 35 years as a player and coach and I've been in some pretty interesting dressing rooms."