Questions I'd like answered

The more I think of it, the more I feel Delaney is entitled to select somebody like Staunton. He's got first hand experience of working with him, negotiating with him and seeing his temprament in adverse circumstances. If, as CEO or whatever his title is, he recognises qualities he likes then he's entitled to act on his opinion. The bigger question is just how capable Delaney is in making these judgments, but we all probably know the answer to that. Nevertheless, there are serious questions about the approach taken to these appointments especially given Delaney's comments made to the press when Kerr's contract was not reviewed.


Questions I'd like asked at the press conference. Anyone got any others?

To the FAI:

Does this appointment(s) satisfy the criteria you spelt out to the media upon notification of Kerr's contract not being renewed?

Is this the "high profile" candidate you sought?

Could you realistically ever have expected to secure a candidate of Martin O'Neill's stature?

You publicly said a headhunting approach would be taken. Was it?

Was approaching Martin O'Neill through a friend of his (Sloane) via an associate of the FAI (Walsh) the best way to make contact? Why was he not approached directly?

Spell out exactly what Robson's role will be. Will he have any broader responsibilities or ancillary duties within the FAI?

How many candidates did you actually meet? Were the likes of Hiddink, Ranieri etc. considered?

Were other ex-internationals considered for the role?

What qualities in Staunton impressed you most?

What risks do you see in this appointment?

Were any of the current senior internationals consulted?

Are you pleased with the way your choice became public knowledge, with rumour & speculation escalating, leading only to a negative perception?

Did you consider waiting until after WC06 to see who's available then?



To Staunton:

How do you envisage your relationship with Robson will evolve?

Will Robson have any executive power?

Why Kevin McDonald? Aston Villa's first don't appear to be too well coached so why should it be assumed their reserve coach is good enough for our international side?

How do you intend monitoring the form & potential of fringe players, especially those in the lower divisions?

Will you attend or be represented at Irish domestic games?

How do you intent interacting with the U21 and other under-age team managers?

good questions stutts, but will they be asked is the big thing!

too many there, and you can see how delaney would answer them.

All v. good questions that I would like to see answers too as well....any chance you could get a press-pass and get a front row seat at the press conference nxt Monday??!;)

Some interesting questions in there alright -but I have to say I'm uncomfortable with the ones pertaining to Martin O'Neill. I think until the man himself comes out and says he's available for work then he should be just left alone.
If the FAI felt it would be more sensitive and discreet to sound him out through a third party rather than some FAI suits arriving on his doorstep-well then I'll happily commend them on what appears to be their first well meant sensitive act.

Agreed on Martin ONeill issue.everyone knows what his circumstances are and he said on many occasions that he is not coming out of his "retirement" he is not relevant in any of it

I'd just like to know why he think Staunton will be an improvement on Kerr, i.e. what has Staunton got that Kerr doesn't?

Precisely.

This appointment has really angered me. The arrogance of the board going ahead with this when they are fully aware that there is hardly a single person (fan, pundit, journalist etc) who agrees with it beggars belief.

The whole thing has such a 'jobs for the boys' flavour to it that it really does make depressing reading for me. I was looking forward to the euro draw and a new manager to bring us some hope of qualifying from a fourth seed position but I just cant see it happening.

We will be up against 3 sides considered better than us and all I can see is Ireland being a goal down and Staunton not having the faintest idea what to do while Robson is yelling at him to change things around.

I cant help it guys , I just find the whole thing a really horrible appointment and hugely disappointing that we seem to be taking yet another backwards step.

I know we have all had our say on the forum with our views but can anyone come forward and please put something positive on here to lift my spirits ?:(

Oh , Stuttgart , great questions by the way. The trouble is , I dont think I even want to know what the FAIs answers are to them. I couldnt handle listening to the answers.

Does this appointment(s) satisfy the criteria you spelt out to the media upon notification of Kerr's contract not being renewed? (please dont tell me it does)

Is this the "high profile" candidate you sought? (again , say it aint so)

Could you realistically ever have expected to secure a candidate of Martin O'Neill's stature? (the truth ?)

You publicly said a headhunting approach would be taken. Was it? (I wouldnt believe them if they said yes despite promising they would)

Was approaching Martin O'Neill through a friend of his (Sloane) via an associate of the FAI (Walsh) the best way to make contact? Why was he not approached directly? (dont want to know the answer to this !)

How many candidates did you actually meet? Were the likes of Hiddink, Ranieri etc. considered? (once again , I think the answer to this would depress me)

What qualities in Staunton impressed you most? (apart from the fact they are friends I dont see how any 'management' qualities could have materialised)

What risks do you see in this appointment? (unless its a clear out at the FAI if this fails dont tell me)

Were any of the current senior internationals consulted? (if so I would love to know who)

Are you pleased with the way your choice became public knowledge, with rumour & speculation escalating, leading only to a negative perception? (goes without saying)

Sharp questions Stuttgart, they would have security on top of you in a flash.

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Are you pleased with the way your choice became public knowledge, with rumour & speculation escalating, leading only to a negative perception?

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Its not difficult to see that the possibilities for leaks had increased 5,000 fold recently. From today's Examiner
"The three-man sub-committee charged with finding a new boss are understood to have kept the FAI board fully updated on their progress, meaning the appointments of Staunton and his advisor Bobby Robson will effectively be ratified by consensus rather than a vote."

Another question for Delaney might be, as per Gilesy, why do you not take advice from football people?:confused:

And

"How much longer do you think you'll stick around?":eek:

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Originally Posted by wallis

Precisely.

This appointment has really angered me. The arrogance of the board going ahead with this when they are fully aware that there is hardly a single person (fan, pundit, journalist etc) who agrees with it beggars belief.

The whole thing has such a 'jobs for the boys' flavour to it that it really does make depressing reading for me. I was looking forward to the euro draw and a new manager to bring us some hope of qualifying from a fourth seed position but I just cant see it happening.

We will be up against 3 sides considered better than us and all I can see is Ireland being a goal down and Staunton not having the faintest idea what to do while Robson is yelling at him to change things around.

I cant help it guys , I just find the whole thing a really horrible appointment and hugely disappointing that we seem to be taking yet another backwards step.

I know we have all had our say on the forum with our views but can anyone come forward and please put something positive on here to lift my spirits ?:(

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The big question is "have the board agreed?"

Where does this appointment fit in to your overall vision and plan for the FAI and for Irish football?

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Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

Will you attend or be represented at Irish domestic games?

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i heard somewhere he called the eL a "mickey mouse" league

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Originally Posted by gustavo

i heard somewhere he called the eL a "mickey mouse" league

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See! All is not lost. He does know something about football.

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Originally Posted by Den Perry

The big question is "have the board agreed?"

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Den Perry - on every thread you post on you wonder if this will fall through, have you money riding on another canidate? :confused:

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Originally Posted by Schlooooomp

Den Perry - on every thread you post on you wonder if this will fall through, have you money riding on another canidate? :confused:

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Ha, he just cant believe his ears.. :D

Good post Stuttgart..

Here's two questions I'd like to see a response to

Exactly who are the FAI accountable to?

And while this move represents a big gamble isn't it fair to say that Delaney is gambling with other peoples chips?

It might turn out to be an inspired hiring. Who's to say? But at this level of the game I think it's important to mremove as many variables as possible for this kind of appointmant. I will obviously support Steve and wish him all the best, but personally I'm far from happy.

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Originally Posted by dr_peepee

Exactly who are the FAI accountable to?

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Mrs. Delaney probably!

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Originally Posted by Schlooooomp

Den Perry - on every thread you post on you wonder if this will fall through, have you money riding on another canidate? :confused:

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yes a fu**ing fortune...but that doesn't worry me too much, this job in the FAI is paying me well.....

From a football point of view its a shambles

I think most people have questioned this new mgt team to a greater or lesser extent & rightly so. But it should now be put to one side and the fans & media alike should refrain from negative comments & give them full support....we are all on the same side, right!

Would hate to think and all the negative press so far would give mindless idiots (fans & media) the excuse to berate Staunton for no reason other than their own clueless cause...

Judge on results not heresay!

Walsall manager Merson has urged Republic of Ireland fans to be patient with Staunton.

"The Republic have lost a lot of their more experienced players to retirement but they have got some good, fresh ones coming through," said Merson.

"Steve needs people to be patient - he needs six years really."


We should be alright around 2012 then. God this is depressing ...

What does Paul Merson's opinion have to do with any of this? What does he know about Irish football? He's not known for his intelligence either.

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Originally Posted by Tired&Emotional

I think most people have questioned this new mgt team to a greater or lesser extent & rightly so. But it should now be put to one side and the fans & media alike should refrain from negative comments & give them full support....we are all on the same side, right!

Would hate to think and all the negative press so far would give mindless idiots (fans & media) the excuse to berate Staunton for no reason other than their own clueless cause...

Judge on results not heresay!

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I agree with you about getting behind the team and management now that it is as good as done, however I think that anybody that buys a ticket and goes to Landsdowne has a rigght to express their opinion irrespective of whether you agree with it or not.

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Originally Posted by Schlooooomp

however I think that anybody that buys a ticket and goes to Landsdowne has a rigght to express their opinion irrespective of whether you agree with it or not.

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Of course everybody has a right to express their opinion, but what kind of moron would buy a ticket with the purpose of going to Landsdowne to express their negative thoughts about an "appointment". Can't we at least wait to see the performance......and then certainly criticise the manager if he get it wrong.

Having said that we do have some "fans" that seem to fit into this category eg.

Den Perry - "I hope it's a ******* disaster."
WWs - "I honestly hope we get tanked in every game"

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Originally Posted by Greenbod

Of course everybody has a right to express their opinion, but what kind of moron would buy a ticket with the purpose of going to Landsdowne to express their negative thoughts about an "appointment". Can't we at least wait to see the performance......and then certainly criticise the manager if he get it wrong.

Having said that we do have some "fans" that seem to fit into this category eg.

Den Perry - "I hope it's a ******* disaster."
WWs - "I honestly hope we get tanked in every game"

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Greenbod: "F** off back to that ****hole the Phoenix club

Can the mods do something about all the acid-tongued hostility on here - I'm getting sick of reading the same tripe of **** & ****. There's alot of unfounded contributions that are served up as "opinions".....are there not boundries for this? Can some people not have a genuine debate when they disagree?

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Originally Posted by Den Perry

Greenbod: "F** off back to that ****hole the Phoenix club

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Why thank you Mr Perry..........I look forward to reading some more of your insightful opinions.

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Originally Posted by Schlooooomp

I agree with you about getting behind the team and management now that it is as good as done, however I think that anybody that buys a ticket and goes to Landsdowne has a rigght to express their opinion irrespective of whether you agree with it or not.

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Cheers.

I accept that everyone has a right to express their opinion but what purpose would it serve you to fork out the cash to just boo for 90 mins:confused:

Would you not be better off writing a letter to a press editor or emailing the FAI or something to voice your opinion??

Off course a line has to be drawn in the name of "expressing an opinion" - opinions can also be expressed many ways but that doesn't make them legit.

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Originally Posted by Tired&Emotional

Can the mods do something about all the acid-tongued hostility on here - I'm getting sick of reading the same tripe of **** & ****. There's alot of unfounded contributions that are served up as "opinions".....are there not boundries for this? Can some people not have a genuine debate when they disagree?

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T&E, I hope you weren't including me as one who has acid on his tongue? I've plenty in me stomach.....but I've got the remgel for that.:o

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Originally Posted by Greenbod

T&E, I hope you weren't including me as one who has acid on his tongue? I've plenty in me stomach.....but I've got the remgel for that.:o

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Nope - you weren't the poster i was refering to;)

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Originally Posted by Greenbod

T&E, I hope you weren't including me as one who has acid on his tongue? I've plenty in me stomach.....but I've got the remgel for that.:o

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ok Greenbod, Truce? Try the Nexium for thec acid, I find them very good

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Originally Posted by Tired&Emotional

Can the mods do something about all the acid-tongued hostility on here - I'm getting sick of reading the same tripe of **** & ****. There's alot of unfounded contributions that are served up as "opinions".....are there not boundries for this? Can some people not have a genuine debate when they disagree?

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Hey T&E, I actually think we agree about the importance of getting behind the team. And I agree that there are some morons posting here (though, surprise, surprise, I don't consider myself one).

I am disappointed at the selection of Staunton but I will genuinely give him the benefit of the doubt and even though it would make Delaney look good I want Staunton to be successful. Delaney is a pratt and Irish football is much bigger than him.

However, as long as people steer clear of attacks on other posters and tone down the language then I think they should be free to express their opinion, regardless of how moronic it might be.

Back to the topic...

Q: Why has Staunton been offered a 4-year contract on the back of zero managerial experience when Brian Kerr was not given a similar vote of confidence at a time when Ireland were top of the qualifying group last summer?

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Originally Posted by Jerry The Saint

Back to the topic...

Q: Why has Staunton been offered a 4-year contract on the back of zero managerial experience when Brian Kerr was not given a similar vote of confidence at a time when Ireland were top of the qualifying group last summer?

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Simply because Delaney just didn't like BK......that's the way it would appear after all Delaney's talk of head-hunting a top-class in the wake of letting BK go (which he did to make it patently clear that he didn't think BK was good enough!). He's just wanted rid of, simple as that - that's the way I would read it anyhow....

Maybe because we were top of the qualifying group for having played a game more than some rivals (must check!) and having dropped match winning leads twice against Israel.

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Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

Mrs. Delaney probably!

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I meant including Delaney!!!

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Originally Posted by Jerry The Saint

Back to the topic...

Q: Why has Staunton been offered a 4-year contract on the back of zero managerial experience when Brian Kerr was not given a similar vote of confidence at a time when Ireland were top of the qualifying group last summer?

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I would opine that a four year deal protects Delaney too. If Stan makes a pigs ear of the 2008 qualification (and I sincerely hope he does well for us) there will be righteous clamour for his head -in that scenario Delaney would not only look ridiculous offering Stan a new deal - if Stan had to be let go (and consistency with BKs situation would ordain he would have to be) then Delaneys position would be untenable as the man who appointed him "on a hunch".