The coach failed to lead the Irish to a major tournament during his three-year stint in charge but felt that he had a difficult task overseeing a team in transition after losing in the Euro 2020 qualification play-off semi-finals on penalties to Slovakia.

Kenny told World Soccer magazine: "Losing to Slovakia on penalties (in 2020) was devastating because it would have taken us into the final against Northern Ireland to qualify for the Euros.That team finished its cycle, a lot of experienced players at the end of their careers.

"We blooded 24 players – Caoimhin Kelleher, Nathan Collins, Dara O'Shea, Ryan Manning, Josh Cullen, Will Smallbone, Troy Parrott, Adam Idah – all of those lads came through. They had a lot of good performances.

"We obviously didn't win enough games, that's why I lost my job. I get that, and I'm not complaining about that. I respect the decision, but our final group for Euro 2024 qualification, with France, the Netherlands and Greece, was very tough."

Kenny is now in charge of League of Ireland side St Patrick's Athletic and explained how the milestone of 1,000 games in club management "crept up" on him when he achieved it last year.

He said: "It crept up on me. I was never really counting, especially because I'd been in international football for nearly five years with the Under-21s and then the senior team, so that probably cost me another 200 games. It wasn't something I was focusing on, so it was a surprise."

The coach continued: "Every single season you need to prove yourself. You have to get better. The trends are rapidly changing and you have to adapt with that.

"I suppose the fact that I've understood that has helped me to attain a level of longevity in the game.

"I'd still consider that, at 54 years of age, I'm probably in my prime as a manager now, so I have many years ahead. But you've got to earn it. Nobody gives you anything."