Its Venables with Staunton as assistant

[Noelys Guitar]

Venables with Staunton as assistant or even co-manager. Will the bookies payout on both? It is almost certainly Venables with an ex-Ireland international. Delaney wanted Kerr to be assistant to Troussier the last time (Delaney never picked Bryan Robson as widely reported). The FAI have spoken to both Venables AND Staunton and Delaney wants to put in place what he couldn't do the last time. I would be very surprised if Staunton turns down the chance to be assistant manager with a view to taking over as manager if things work out.

[Stuttgart88]

Whether this is true or not it appears that Delaney is calling all the shots. So much for hiring an international headhunting firm to come up with a list of candidates.

[NeilMcD]

Its all speculation though. I would rather hold my judgement until an appointment is made or at least a quote that we can analyse.

[Hither green]

So much for hiring an international headhunting firm to come up with a list of candidates.

I thought that they'd clearly stated that they wouldn't be doing that this time?

[Jerry The Saint]

Delaney wanted Kerr to be assistant to Troussier the last time (Delaney never picked Bryan Robson as widely reported).

Troussier was Delaney's initial choice but when it came down to a straight vote between Kerr and Robson he voted for Robson.

Incidentally, Robson was Venables' assistant at England and was being "groomed" to take over from him. Obviously this never happened and I don't see this arrangement working out for us either. If they go with this approach and Ireland have a disappointing campaign, I don't see the assistant being kept on when they get rid of Venables. Why not make Chris Hughton manager now, if the FAI want to build continuity into it?

[Stuttgart88]

I thought that they'd clearly stated that they wouldn't be doing that this time?

From today's The Independent - Jason Burt who follows the Irish team for them:

The situation is complicated because the FAI remains hopeful it can persuade Martin O'Neill to take the job. They have not appointed an agent or head-hunter to approach candidates and, it is understood, the task is to be undertaken by chief executive John Delaney, who is heading a three-strong committee.

As Neil says though, everything's just rumour.