As the end of an interesting year approaches Galway United chief executive officer Nick Leeson has confirmed that manager Jeff Kenna will be afforded a two week period to decide on whether to remain with the western club.
Kenna, who has been linked with the vacant Dundalk and Shamrock Rovers jobs, discussed his future with Leeson last week, and now a period of reflection is imminent. “We had talks with Jeff and he knows that ideally he is the manager we want. We are very aware that with us moving to a part time set up that Jeff has a hard decision to make with his family and we don’t want to engage in too much speculation.
“Jeff will take time to think, but I would be optimistic that he will stay. Jeff knows that our budget will be restricted compared to last season, but it is only correct that we as a club give him breathing space and two weeks’ grace to decide what is best for him.
“A number of jobs could come up in the Football League cross channel in the next while and we are aware of that, but we would be hopeful that Jeff will stay. He has assured me that he is considering the Galway offer seriously, and we are happy to put some sort of arrangement in place.”
Jay O’Shea’s switch to Derby County is also nearing completion, and a hectic January schedule for the Rams features two Carling Cup dates with Manchester United. O’Shea may even feature against European football’s current standard bearers. “The clubs just need to sit down and cross the t’s and dots the i’s really. It has been arranged when Jay will go to Derby and there is a chance that he could be involved in the League Cup game against Manchester United.
“Derby are buying him with the intention of playing him. He will be in the first team reckoning from once he goes over there so this is a great chance for him. He has progressed fantastically well in the last four or five months and hopefully we can bring another one or two through. If we build the right environment for young players they can progress with us. At the moment we could hope to keep the vast majority of the locally based lads who did so well for us in the last while, and it would be great if Jeff was there to lead them.”
