Staunton Ireland Manager?

[SeanieBoy]

Stan is 5/6 fav for the job now!!

[thejollyrodger]

At the end of the day, The FAIlure has to get someone who either is very expensive but has proved himself at the highest level or someone who has never managed before but has the potential there. A classic example would be Man citys coach, Peirce.

I think the FAIlure has decided to try the second approach since its the cheapest. If Stan does the business then it will be a fantastic swred move, if we dont qualify for Euro 2008 we will all be looking for a major clear out at merrion square.

[pineapple stu]

I wouldn't put it beyond the FAI to be leaking names like Stan - he seems not to know anything about himself, so quite possibly hasn't been approached - so that when we do end up with Bryan Robson, we'll be relieved and think they've done a great job.

[jbyrne]

its all getting very worrying. all we have to date is top managers saying they're not interested
and inexperienced past players, failed epl managers and has beens (or more probably has not beens) like venebles and bobby robson being linked with the job. a bad appointment now could set us back 10 years easily. why get rid of kerr with no better alternative lined up??!
surely we deserve better than this circus

[Superhoops]

At the end of the day, The FAIlure has to get someone who either is very expensive but has proved himself at the highest level or someone who has never managed before but has the potential there. A classic example would be Man citys coach, Peirce.

I think the FAIlure has decided to try the second approach since its the cheapest. If Stan does the business then it will be a fantastic swred move, if we dont qualify for Euro 2008 we will all be looking for a major clear out at merrion square.
Knowing that qualification for Euro 2008 will be the only yardstick by which success is measured, Stuart Pearce or any other up and coming EPL or Championship manager is not likely to want to take this job, certainly until the draw has been made in January and then only if the financial package is one that would compensate them for being out of the club game for 2 years at least. If Stuart Pearce has any ambition of managing a national team it will be England, and he has a good chance of getting it some day if he stays in top flight club football management.

I would be surprised if Delaney and co. have not already sussed out (a) who is available (b) when they are available (c) if they want the job (d) how much they want for doing it.

Four scenarios for me:
1. no top flight manager wants the job regardless of how much
2. no top flight manager wants the job at the price FAI are willing to pay
3. a number of inexperienced managers (probably ex-Ireland internationals) prepared to use the opportunity to make their mark.
4. a 'big name high profile' failed EPL manager arrives in a blaze of glory.

As 1 and 2 are non-runners, I would consider 3 a better option than 4 and think they should just get on with and appoint someone.

[lofty9]

Staunton:eek: !!!! I'm in shock. I would love to hear a Roy Keane rant on this one. I suppose he'll have big Quinn and Alan Kelly as his assistants.


FAI JOKERS.

[The Legend]

In my opinion this would be the worst thing the FAI have EVER done!

[dr_peepee]

Worse than the time they let that escaped lunatic into Merrion Square 'cause he was dressed like Santa Claus?

[BobbySands]

The FAI should just get that fellah who manages U2. That would be a big hit with the young people.

[Hither green]

But the misleading spin headline on that story is
"Merson gives Staunton the green light" :)

Does anyone know what Staunton currently does at Walsall - what do they think of him?

Despite Holland and Germany going down the path of inexperienced former players, Ireland definitely need an experienced manager. That said I think I'd rather Staunton to Troussier.

Has anyone heard the rumours about Hiddink. His names starting to appear on a number of sites.

[Tired&Emotional]

Yes, saw a rumour of Hiddink putting his name in the hat for the job....think it stemed from the Daily Mail though!!

[Eire06]

it's been on the radio all morning saying he's in talks with the FAI!!

I don't like him at all he doesn't come across as a competent leader and has NO managerial experience :mad:

[Don Vito]

All the signs are pointing towards Stan being the man but I’m still not sure, I think he’ll be the No.2 to someone more experienced. Remember how Delaney wanted Kerr to be No. 2 last time round with a view to taking over later could be the same again here. Well that’s what I’m hoping anyway, been laying Stan on Betfair, stand to recoup some of my massive gambling losses if he doesn’t get it!

[Stuttgart88]

I think Stan by himself would be the third cheap compromise in a row, so yet again we'll be sold short of what we deserve. I'd be totally underwhelmed by this. A half-decent choice but not the major O'Neill, Ranieri type appointment that could really make the difference.

The only positive I can think of is that having been picked for euro88 himself without ever having played a club game, I hope he'll appreciate the merit of picking the young players with most potential for the squad. I thought Kerr was far too hung up on experience.

I wonder would there be some type of agreement that if, say O'Neill, was to accept at a later date he'd step aside into a no. 2 position, but for now he's the manager?

[SeanieBoy]

It looks like a dead cert at this stage, looks like the FAI are going for the easy & chaep option once again!! He's hardly the liveliest person in the world, so we could expect a boring Ireland team!!

[Noelys Guitar]

Staunton is not the man we need at this stage. Assistant coach at Walsall! The laughable chip on the shoulder nonsense. Great player in his time but the logic in appointing someone with NO managerial experience anywhere would be madness.

[tiktok]

Before Kerr was given the Job, Delaney's preference was for an experienced foreigner/inexperienced Irishman combination in Troussier/Kerr, with the idea to move Kerr into the hot seat after a couple of years as #2.

I think this may have proved successful in hindsight.

I'd imagine though that his thinking on this hasn't changed, I can't see a situation where he will follow Kerr with another manager so inexperienced at Senior Level. The third soft-option manager in a row.

If Staunton is in talks, I'd guess someone else has been approached as well.
Reid/Staunton
Troussier/Staunton
even
O'Neill/Staunton (with the former in a temporary/part-time role)

are all more likely (and preferrable) outcomes IMO than Staunton on his own.
Remember the potential candidate's odds slashed by the bookies already though, they're having a field day.

[SeanieBoy]

Another post suggests Bobby Robson & Staunton, that wouldn't be too bad....

[wallis]

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PUT SIR BOBBY IN CHARGE !

Come on FAI , you finally have a chance to put a 'professional' in charge. Put SBR at the helm , let Staunton learn off him for a campaign and Im sure every fan would be happy.

I cant think of a better person in charge than SBR. World cup quarter and semi finallist , in charge of umpteen clubs around europe , he has seen just about every style of football possible. Who wouldnt want to play under him ?

SBR number one , Stan number two and we really could bring the side along.

[elroy]

Is the big story not of Venables and Staunton?
That seemed to be the combination all over the papers yesterday anyway.
Not a big fan of either.

I like the suggestions of Stan as a no 2 to an experienced coach, have my reservations about Ranieri. But can we simply expect two people who dont know each other to work together with no problems, like have Stan and Venables ever met??

O'Neill is still my main choice and I really think the drawn out process is largely a waiting period for him.

[tiktok]

Haven't really been following it in recent weeks because I got sick of it,
But Robson/Staunton sounds decent enough to me.

[deadman]

heard des cahill mention robson and staunton on 11.0 news.

wonder what paper he got that from ... first i've heard of it but at this stage, an acceptable combination

[eirebhoy]

But can we simply expect two people who dont know each other to work together with no problems, like have Stan and Venables ever met??

It happens all the time. Hughton has been assistant to a load of coaches at Spurs.

[geysir]

if Stan is just the assistant then all those heavy bets have been chasing a fools paradise. I'd imagine Stan will get the nr.1 title and imo probably Robson to assist. It is less likely that Venables would be content with a nr.2 position.

[eirebhoy]

It looks certain that Stan will be assistant.

http://www.rte.ie/sport/2006/0109/ireland.html

Monday, 09 January 2006 12:30
Speculation is mounting that former Republic of Ireland international defender Steve Staunton will form some part of a new Irish management team.

While the FAI have refused to comment on the possible appointment of Staunton as a possible successor to Brian Kerr, RTÉ Radio believes a deal that will see Staunton work with the Irish team has been agreed.

It is believed that three FAI representatives flew into Manchester yesterday, spoke with Staunton, and agreed a deal.

It is also understood that the FAI are keen to have a more experienced management partner working alongside Staunton, and have asked former England and Newcastle United manager Bobby Robson not to talk to anybody else.

Terry Venables has also been mentioned widely as a possible successor to Kerr, but while there are still several elements to confirm, it now looks very much like Steve Staunton and Bobby Robson will be the new Irish management team.

PJ Cunningham was first to mention this possibility in yesterday's Sunday Tribune.

[geysir]

for every "fool" backing Staunton on Betfair some other "fool" is laying the bet.
For the record I did not call them fools. To use quotes around fools is entirely your own creation

[geysir]

It looks certain that Stan will be assistant.
Rather it looks certain that Stan will at least be an assistant.

[loscherland]

A day in the life of Steve Staunton as Ireland Manager...

team: what do we do Stan?
Stan: whenever you get the ball boot it down the flank,
team: hoof down the flank, you sure?
Stan: no I didn't say hoof, make sure it skips along the ground so where it actually ends up is completely random, sometimes you can win throw ins like that,
team: you know its not 1986 anymore boss
Stan: don't you think I know that, now so who should we organize a friendly against? USSR or Czechoslovakia?
team: ermm....
Stan: and luton town are still a top divison club right, now were did I part my delorean? god michael jackson is really black isn't he, i don't think this internet thing will catch on,
team: so who you gonna play in midfield without keano?
stan: oh that's not important, sure there's no real need for a midfield in todays modern game, they'll just be watching the ball sail over there heads, I don't think these shorts are tight enough!
team: not to convinced about that, but your the boss,
Stan: oh, and if we get a corner, shoot! I once scored doing that, and that was along the groud too,
team: we just thought that was a really bad cross,
Stan: cross? what's that?
team: so were all set to qualify for the next world cup boss?
Stan: hell no! I'm not going anywere sunny, I have sensitive skin you know!

:D

[SeanieBoy]

Rather it looks certain that Stan will at least be an assistant.

If the odds on Betfair are too low to have a bet on Stan (1.18), then I was going to plump for the 8.4 you get for Bobby Robson as he is rumoured to be the other manager touted to work with Staunton!! If that did come off, woul the bookies pay on Stan & Robson??

[colster]

The more I think about it. I think Robson with Staunton as assistant would be a very good appointment. Give Robson a 4 year contract with Staunton groomed to take over.

[Stuttgart88]

STAUNTON IN LINE FOR REPUBLIC JOB
By Ian Parkes, PA Sport Steve Staunton is poised to be appointed as the new manager of the Republic of
Ireland by the end of the week.
Staunton, currently assistant manager to Paul Merson at Walsall, is understood
to have held talks over the weekend with officials from the Football Association
of Ireland.
The FAI have been buoyed by the success of the talks, but they remain at a
delicate stage and have yet to be concluded.
The FAI are also looking for a guiding mentor, with former England manager Sir
Bobby Robson believed to be in the frame due to Staunton's lack of managerial
experience.
Robson has been out of work since being sacked as Newcastle boss in August
2004.
Should the duo be officially confirmed, their first game will be a Lansdowne
Road friendly against Sweden on Wednesday, March 1.
That will begin a six-month countdown ahead of the start of the qualification
programme for the 2008 European Championships.
Staunton is Ireland's most capped player, making 102 appearances including 16
as captain. He played in two World Cup finals, with his last game the
second-round penalty shoot-out to Spain in South Korea three-and-a-half years
ago.
His potential appointment will bring an end to a near three-month search for
the FAI in the wake of Brian Kerr's dismissal following his failure to guide the
Republic to this summer's World Cup finals in Germany.

[eirebhoy]

Rather it looks certain that Stan will at least be an assistant.
Can you really see the likes of Robson, Troussier or Venables as assistant to Stan? Not a chance. Stan is going to be assistant, I can't see anything else.

[Dublin12]

A day in the life of Steve Staunton as Ireland Manager...

team: what do we do Stan?
Stan: whenever you get the ball boot it down the flank,
team: hoof down the flank, you sure?
Stan: no I didn't say hoof, make sure it skips along the ground so where it actually ends up is completely random, sometimes you can win throw ins like that,
team: you know its not 1986 anymore boss
Stan: don't you think I know that, now so who should we organize a friendly against? USSR or Czechoslovakia?
team: ermm....
Stan: and luton town are still a top divison club right, now were did I part my delorean? god michael jackson is really black isn't he, i don't think this internet thing will catch on,
team: so who you gonna play in midfield without keano?
stan: oh that's not important, sure there's no real need for a midfield in todays modern game, they'll just be watching the ball sail over there heads, I don't think these shorts are tight enough!
team: not to convinced about that, but your the boss,
Stan: oh, and if we get a corner, shoot! I once scored doing that, and that was along the groud too,
team: we just thought that was a really bad cross,
Stan: cross? what's that?
team: so were all set to qualify for the next world cup boss?
Stan: hell no! I'm not going anywere sunny, I have sensitive skin you know!

:D

Will there be a translater present for the benefit of the team

[Superhoops]

Haven't really been following it in recent weeks because I got sick of it,
But Robson/Staunton sounds decent enough to me.
Sounds more like Staunton/Robson, with SBR in for a limited period, probably 12 months, to assist after which time Stan will chose his own assistant.

Cannot see Venables wanting such a role or grooming someone else as his successor and as for Peter Reid:eek: , in any capacity.

The Stan/SBR combo must be worth a try as there is no chance of us getting a manager/coach from the top shelf.

[SeanieBoy]

Sounds more like Staunton/Robson, with SBR in for a limited period, probably 12 months, to assist after which time Stan will chose his own assistant.

Cannot see Venables wanting such a role or grooming someone else as his successor and as for Peter Reid:eek: , in any capacity.

The Stan/SBR combo must be worth a try as there is no chance of us getting a manager/coach from the top shelf.

I'm not fussed on Stan as manager, but I do like Robson.

[Superhoops]

The more I think about it. I think Robson with Staunton as assistant would be a very good appointment. Give Robson a 4 year contract with Staunton groomed to take over.
Will Robson still be 'compus mentus' or even alive in 4 years time?

[livehead1]

i think that a robson staunton partnership could be great if it happens. On one hand you have the wise old head, coached all over the world, is very experienced in the international field also and has a good knowledge of our players and has even managed some of them. then you have the apparently talented novice coach who has a small amount of experience in coaching but will need some help getting used to the requirements of international management. Both i feel would be passionate about the job and a great choice.

[Peadar]

I can't stand him!
He's a langer of the highest order.
One of the most ignorant people I've ever had the misfortune of meeting.

If I have to listen to his Louth accent in interviews, I'll crack up!

He'd better know something about football or there'll be trouble.
On the other hand, it might be a good way of getting rid of Delaney too.

[Stuttgart88]

But would Sir Bobby be able to tell the difference between Roy & Robbie Keane?

[geysir]

Can you really see the likes of Robson, Troussier or Venables as assistant to Stan? Not a chance. Stan is going to be assistant, I can't see anything else.
Definitely not Venables and I would not dare mention Troussier.
I could see some role for Robson which does not hold the manager title. Robson is an experienced gem, I don't know about what role his ego could tolerate. Mainly I am thinking that all those incredibly heavy bets made on Staunton while he was at imo prohibitive odds are likely to have some inside knowledge on the matter. That's why I would rather say at least.

[wws]

Brilliant!

if anybody can turn this around it has to be the Wallsall assistant coach and some 88 year old!

Well done John Delaney!

[Dublin12]

I think it'd be a bad appointment.He's only been with Walsall a wet weekend and suddenly he's linked with the Ireland job!,and Uncle Bobby's too old,his day has passed him,they should've teamed the 2 together on 'The Match',thats about their standard,it's a joke imo.

[livehead1]

I can't stand him!
He's a langer of the highest order.
One of the most ignorant people I've ever had the misfortune of meeting.

If I have to listen to his Louth accent in interviews, I'll crack up!

He'd better know something about football or there'll be trouble.
On the other hand, it might be a good way of getting rid of Delaney too.
i dont find him or his accent inspiring either but it may just be the case that he has the potential to be a very good manager. i hate listening to the likes of o'leary but i would have taken him as manager. with robsons help this could be a good move

[geysir]

I can't stand him!
He's a langer of the highest order.
One of the most ignorant people I've ever had the misfortune of meeting.
If I have to listen to his Louth accent in interviews, I'll crack up!
I wonder what a lingual bigot cracking up sounds like?

[FarBeag]

How reassuring..... Bobby Robson may have been the wise old owl about ten years ago but common he could not remember the names of the Newcastle players when he managed them and that was not too long ago..God knows what his memory is like now.As for Staunton he cant even get managers job in the lower leagues in England and is supposedly good enough to manage Ireland.its a joke and a cheap option for the F.A.I.

[colster]

Will Robson still be 'compus mentus' or even alive in 4 years time?

Will Staunton??? Who knows?
Robson is 72-73. Anyway It looks like he's coming in as a mentor with the bulk of job being Staunton's responsibility.
When if ever have we got a manager who has managed the likes of Barcelona + PSV.

[colster]

How reassuring..... Bobby Robson may have been the wise old owl about ten years ago but common he could not remember the names of the Newcastle players when he managed them and that was not too long ago..God knows what his memory is like now.As for Staunton he cant even get managers job in the lower leagues in England and is supposedly good enough to manage Ireland.its a joke and a cheap option for the F.A.I.

Maybe but who else can we get. The FAI are hardly flush with cash are they?
It was obvious we needed a change of management and that's what they're doing.
I'd love to see Hiddink or O'Neill but we can't get them.
Instead it looks like we have a partnership where one manager has lots of experience and another doesn't.
The only obvious thing that was going to happen after Kerr left was that the FAI would make a decision that people would criticise.

[NeilMcD]

I think Staunton replacing Kerr and Hughton is a disgrace. I would rather see Chris Hughton get the job on his own than Staunton as he has far more experience than Steve Staunton. But I will reserve judgement until we actually see what happens. But at the moment nobody can tell me that appointing Staunton would be better than Kerr and Hughton going into their 3rd campaign.

[NeilMcD]

Also if Bobby Robson does get a job can we call him that Bobby Robson, not this Sir bit, We live in a Republic for **** sake were we dont have an honours system.

[Gareth]

Oh dear. Talk about trying to patch half a manager together.