Former Preston North End goalkeeper coach Alan Kelly steps down from Republic of Ireland staff

Republic of Ireland manager Stephen Kenny has accepted Alan Kelly’s decision to step down from his role as goalkeeping coach.
Alan Kelly during his time as Preston North End goalkeeper coachAlan Kelly during his time as Preston North End goalkeeper coach
Alan Kelly during his time as Preston North End goalkeeper coach

The 52-year-old former Preston North End and Ireland keeper, who retained his role when Kenny replaced Mick McCarthy at the helm last year, has cited the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic as his reason for leaving.

His departure comes just days after coach Damien Duff announced he too was leaving the staff ahead of the World Cup qualifying campaign.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Kenny said: “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.”

Asthma sufferer Kelly, who won 34 senior caps for Ireland, opted not to travel to Ireland with the squad after November’s friendly against England at Wembley amid concerns over positive coronavirus cases within the camp.

Announcing his decision to stand down, he said: “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.

“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.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“A special thank you goes out to all the Irish international goalkeepers I have played alongside and had the good fortune to coach.

“I would like to thank the FAI and wish Stephen, the staff and all the players the very best of luck in the World Cup qualifiers beginning in March and for the future.”

As a player, Kelly played 142 league games for North End in the 1980s and early 1990s.

He was in the PNE squad which won promotion from the Fourth Division in the 1986/87 season, sharing the gloves that campaign with David Brown.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Kelly had a four-year spell as the club’s goalkeeper coach under Simon Grayson, working with Jordan Pickford and Sam Johnson.

He left Deepdale in August 2017, early in Alex Nei’s reign.

Kelly is now Everton’s keeper coach, with the Ireland job having been a part-time one. Initially he went to Everton to work on their Under-23s coaching staff but is now their senior keeper coach.

Thanks for reading. If you value what we do and are able to support us, a digital subscription is just £1 per month for the first two months. Try us today by clicking here