Jeff Kenna

Jeffrey Jude Kenna (born 27 August 1970) is an Irish football manager and former professional footballer.

Kenna played as a defender from 1989 until 2009, notably in the Premier League for Southampton, Blackburn Rovers and Birmingham City. He was part of the Rovers side that won the title in 1995 following his mid-season transfer from the Saints. He also played in the Football League for Tranmere Rovers, Wigan Athletic and Derby County, finishing his career in England with Non-league side Kidderminster Harriers. He was capped 27 times by Republic of Ireland.

Following retirement he went on to manage Galway United and St Patrick's Athletic. In 2011, he joined the coaching staff of the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida.

Playing career Kenna was born in Dublin, but began his club career in England, with Southampton in 1988. He made his debut on 4 May 1991 in a 6–2 league defeat by Derby County at the Baseball Ground. He became a first team regular in the 1992–93 season and remained a fixture in the first team until 15 March 1995, when he moved to Blackburn Rovers for a fee of £1.5 million, playing a part in the run-in to the club's Premier League title that year.

He had played 114 league matches for the Saints, scoring four goals. He lost his first match in charge 3–2 versus Bray Wanderers.

At the time taking over at United, the club were bottom of the table and haemorrhaging money. Due to league financial regulations a lot of the senior players were sold onto other clubs to ensure that the clubs salary expenditure fell within league requirements. On 15 July 2008, Kenna officially (albeit somewhat reluctantly) became player-manager at Galway United.

Galway United relied on a number of young and relatively inexperienced players during the season. However, as the campaign progressed, Kenna was credited with helping foster a strong team ethic, and the club recorded five wins, one draw and one defeat in its final seven league matches. This run earned Galway 17 points, allowing the club to narrowly avoid relegation to the First Division by finishing one point ahead of Finn Harps.. In addition to ensuring the club's survival, Kenna guided Galway United to the semi finals of both the League Cup and the FAI Cup. Although he was understood to be under contract for a further season with Galway, he resigned during the winter period.

He took the position of St. Patricks' Athletic manager on 15 January 2009. His first competitive match was a 3–0 home defeat at the hands of his previous club whose new manager, Ian Foster, had been Kenna's assistant the season before. Indifferent league form (which included two more defeats at the hands of Galway) combined with the fact that he was commuting between Dublin and the UK saw Kenna come under pressure from the St. Pat's fans quite quickly, but a run to the Fourth Qualifying Round of the Europa League (which included a victory over Russian side Krylia Sovetov) appeared to have weathered the storm.

However, a 2–0 loss at home to First Division Waterford United in the quarter final of the FAI Cup ultimately led to Kenna's resignation as St. Patrick's Athletic manager on 18 September 2009.

On 1 August 2011, Kenna joined the coaching staff at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida.

Personal life Kenna is the brother of heavyweight boxer Colin Kenna and second cousin of football manager Pat Scully. His father Liam is an Irish former snooker international. Since his days at Birmingham City Kenna's family had been settled in the West Midlands and he commuted to Ireland for training activities.

Career statistics Club + Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

International

Managerial + Managerial record by team and tenureTeamFromToRecord Galway United 21 April 2008 14 January 2009 St Patrick's Athletic 14 January 2009 18 September 2009

Honours Blackburn Rovers Premier League: 1994–95

Southampton Full Members' Cup runner-up: 1991–92