Kerr has been the coach of their youth team for the last six years, and was really successful while doing that job.
Roy Keane was a big reason why Mick McCarthy quit
Kerr takes over from Mick McCarthy, who quit the job in November 2002 after a bad start to the team's 2004 European Championship qualifying campaign.
McCarthy was in charge of Ireland for six and a half years, but despite some excellent performances, things went bad for him during the 2002 World Cup.
Fact File
Kerr's youth team successes
Won European U16 championship in 1998
Won European U18 championship in 1998
3rd in Youth World Cup in 1999
A huge row with Roy Keane before the tournament started saw the captain return home without kicking a ball, and from then on things were very difficult for McCarthy.
Keane said he wouldn't play for Ireland while McCarthy was in charge, so whether he now gets the chance to play for his country again will probably be the first decision for Kerr to make.
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