The ex-Premier League player had only made his debut with Goole AFC in October
Former Ireland and ex-Premier League goalkeeper Paddy Kenny has resigned from his first job as a manager with ninth-tier club Goole AFC after 33 days.
Kenny, now 45, made his debut as manager in October. He was appointed as part of a new back-room team at Northern Counties East League Premier Division side Goole AFC.
Kenny and his side got off to a great start with back-to-back wins over Eccleshill United, both in the league and in the West Rising County Cup, winning 5-1 and 3-0.
Goole went on to suffer defeats to Hallam (3-0), Penistone Church (3-0), Campion (4-2) and Handsworth (6-1) as well as a 4-2 loss to Frickley Athletic in the NCEL League Cup.
Kenny has cited family and work commitments as the reasons as to why he is stepping down.
“Unfortunately, I’ve not been able to make the last couple of games so I’m stepping down as Goole AFC manager due to family/work commitments, gutted it’s not worked out but it’s a very demanding job and I can’t fully commit, wishing Goole, players and Nathan Helliwell all the best,” Kenny said via X.
Goole currently sits 19th in the league with 14 points from 18 games played, just one single point from the bottom.
Kenny’s stint in the Premier League consisted of 67 apperances, whilst also being capped seven times by the Republic of Ireland. He is probably most well remembered for his time in the midlands with Sheffield United, making 318 appearances for the Blades. Kenny was also between the sticks for QPR when Sergio Aguero scored arguably the most dramatic goal in Premier League history.
The former Ireland shot-stopper also played for Leeds and a host of other English sides. He worked as a player-goalkeeping coach at Northampton Town in 2017 before hanging up his boots with Maltby Main in 2018.