Staunton Ireland Manager?

**colster** · 09/01/2006, 1:46 PM

Originally Posted by 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.

Well apart from the fact that the team dis-improved under Kerr and Hughton.
The thing is we don't know how good/bad Staunton will be?
When McCarthy took over we expected a long ball merchant which he wasn't.
When Kerr took over we expect an influx of young blood which didn't happen.
Who knows who the FAI have consulted over this?

Anyway it looks like Staunton is coming in as junior partner/assistant to a more experienced manager. It looks like Bobby Robson is the man but I would not be surprised if Dalglish,Venables or Atkinson were appointed. Out of those 4 I'd take Robson any day.

**FarBeag** · 09/01/2006, 1:49 PM

Originally Posted by colster

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.

But why should we have to settle for the cheapest option the FAI can get, only to find out in a few years time that they are not up to the job, put us supporters through utter misery again and then sack the manager.Bobby Robson IMO is well past it and i would rather have Kerr back than those two no hopers.

**twoenz** · 09/01/2006, 1:55 PM

I don't see the problem in having Robson involved at all.
The man's a coach. There's only so much he can forget about that. He doesn't have to deal in transfers and isn't going to be involved day on day with the players. He has the experience, and the media perception of him is wide of the mark.

He's the only credible end of this appointment IMO.

**Cosmo** · 09/01/2006, 2:02 PM

Originally Posted by Peadar

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

Craptown accent

**Macy** · 09/01/2006, 2:04 PM

Originally Posted by 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!

Not really much to add to that.

**livehead1** · 09/01/2006, 2:07 PM

Originally Posted by Macy

Not really much to add to that.

why would you want to add anything to that, its a stupid comment and also an inaccurate one. robson isn't 88 and if he does choose to manage ireland he will be the most successful and highest profile manager this country has ever had, i would consider it a priveledge to have him in charge.

**Hither green** · 09/01/2006, 2:28 PM

Originally Posted by colster

The thing is we don't know how good/bad Staunton will be?

You could say that about anyone. Things didn't go great under Kerr but I can't believe that an untried Stan is preferable. I'd hoped that when the FAI sacked Kerr that they had someone else in mind, perhaps even tapped up someone else, but no they're making it up as they go along as usual. And why now? I know the Euro draw is coming up but I'd have hoped that they'd either have appointed someone immediately or wait a bit longer for the best candidate (I can't see Hiddink continuing with the Australians beyond the world cup).

That said, of all the current unemployed managers mentioned, I wouldn't mind seeing Robson involved. He's done it at club level recently and he was a reasonably successful international manager. A decent enough coach for Stan to learn from.

**Cosmo** · 09/01/2006, 2:34 PM

Originally Posted by livehead1

its a stupid comment

In fairness, I would also agree with wws's comment - robson is too old (even though not quite 88

) to hold down the ireland job for the next 4 years imo. Dont get me wrong would have been great to have him a few years ago but we have to look at someone that can do it for us for a few years as it'll probably take a couple of campaigns before we successfully qualify for a tournament again!)

Staunton has f**k all managerial experience so he's hardly an ideal candidate either - plus he's a muppet from craptown.

Despite Kerrs faults (and even though I like Kerr, he wasnt faultless, just like any other manager in the world) he was surely a better option than the above two - and especially a better option than staunton

**NeilMcD** · 09/01/2006, 2:38 PM

Soccer
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FAI now setting sights on Staunton
PJCunningham

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THE FAI has all but exhausted its patience in its bid to deliver top target Martin O'Neill as Brian Kerr's successor in the Republic of Ireland's manager's job and are set to switch their attention to former international skipper Steve Staunton.

FAI chief executive John Delaney has single-mindedly pursued O'Neill as his number one target ever since Kerr failed to deliver a World Cup place in Germany and has used former Irish star Mickey Walsh to keep in touch with O'Neill through Niall Sloane, a close friend of the ex-Celtic manager.

Following a meeting just before the new year, it was decided that if there was no movement on the O'Neill situation within a short period of time, then they would look at either appointing Staunton with an older sidekick, Bobby Robson, to the post or offer it to the former Liverpool and Aston Villa star in some sort of interim capacity.

Delaney, FAI president David Blood and Michael Cody, who make up the threeman committee given the mandate to find the new manager, ideally would like to have their man in place before the friendly game against Sweden on 1 March in Dublin.

This will give the manager a chance to familiarise himself with the players before the Euro 2008 qualifiers in the autumn and also dispel the feeling that they were unable to land the candidate they wanted.

Staunton who holds a record 102 caps for the Republic has been the subject of a huge number of bets over the past week and had hardened from 4/6 and 4/7 earlier in the week to 1/2 at Paddy Power's yesterday afternoon.

Former England Manager Terry Venables is quoted as second favourite at 5/2 but is not considered a serious candidate.

**colster** · 09/01/2006, 2:41 PM

Originally Posted by Hither green

You could say that about anyone. Things didn't go great under Kerr but I can't believe that an untried Stan is preferable. I'd hoped that when the FAI sacked Kerr that they had someone else in mind, perhaps even tapped up someone else, but no they're making it up as they go along as usual. And why now? I know the Euro draw is coming up but I'd have hoped that they'd either have appointed someone immediately or wait a bit longer for the best candidate (I can't see Hiddink continuing with the Australians beyond the world cup).

I agree Hiddink will leave Australia after the WC. He still works for PSV. Do we want him full time? If so, i think the compensation to PSV may be a big stumbling block. The other factor with Hiddink is that we may not be the only team looking at him.

That said, of all the current unemployed managers mentioned, I wouldn't mind seeing Robson involved. He's done it at club level recently and he was a reasonably successful international manager. A decent enough coach for Stan to learn from.

I agree.

**Stuttgart88** · 09/01/2006, 2:49 PM

Originally Posted by Cosmo

Despite Kerrs faults (and even though I like Kerr, he wasnt faultless, just like any other manager in the world) he was surely a better option than the above two - and especially a better option than staunton

Hmm, dunno. At the end I think Kerr showed no inkling he had any idea how to take this team forward.

It's a big gamble though. Whatever happened the executive search firm to scour the globe for a replacement?

I've always liked Sir Bobby (especially in June '88!) , though not always respected his judgment. I wonder what Shay's view is, having worked for him for so long.

I suppose we just have to hope this works out. Robson at least is used to working with overpaid young stars week-in week-out and although lack of control ultimately cost him his job, we don't have charmless low-life like Bowyer or Dyer in the Irish set up. He is known & respected by many of the world's best (e.g., Ronaldo). Robson is well disposed to trusting young players which I've maintained all along will be the key to getting us back on track. Souness' recent performance at Newcastle highlights how well Robson was doing (finished 5th in their last full season under him & a UEFA Cup Q/F). With 102 caps you'd like to think Staunton will have half an idea of what he's talking about, probably more than Kerr at that level.

Anyway, that's the "glass half full" approach. God knows you could come up with a lot of easy negatives too though.

I wonder if Robson will be given a broader developmental role in the FAI too.

**NeilMcD** · 09/01/2006, 2:52 PM

I agree with you about Bobby Robson, but at the moment, we nly have the Staunton thing to go on really. Thats why i am reserving judgement, but if we sacked Kerr and Hughton to get Staunton then I think that will be a wast of time. If we get Bobby Robson along with Staunton then I think thats some progress.

**Stuttgart88** · 09/01/2006, 2:58 PM

Originally Posted by NeilMcD

FAI chief executive John Delaney ... has used former Irish star Mickey Walsh to keep in touch with O'Neill through Niall Sloane, a close friend of the ex-Celtic manager.

Interesting. My mate in work here is best friends with Walsh & I've been offered an introduction a few times. I must take him up on it next time.

That article also says that Stan may just be an interim candidate. So at least it's not Don Givens as caretaker!

**Cosmo** · 09/01/2006, 3:01 PM

Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

So at least it's not Don Givens as caretaker!

On that we will agree on!!!

**FarBeag** · 09/01/2006, 3:12 PM

Great ! A ' Yes' man with no managerial experience in Staunton and a man who was a good coach and well respected but who is now on the verge of losing his marbles Robson to be the next Irish management team.

**lofty9** · 09/01/2006, 3:14 PM

I hope this is all speculation. This has to be the biggest wind up ever. Robson and Staunton???? We might as well have robson and jerome. FAI IDIOTS.

**silentbob** · 09/01/2006, 3:19 PM

http://www.foot.ie/showthread.php?p=373047#post373047

Said it from day one!!!

**drummerboy** · 09/01/2006, 3:22 PM

I like Staunton but feel he is under qualified for this job. It would be very foolish for him to take it. He needs to cut his teeth in club management before attempting to take on the international managers job. Delaney is a ****ing moron. We'll be the laughing stock of international football with this appointment.

**soccerc** · 09/01/2006, 3:23 PM

Originally Posted by eirebhoy

It looks certain that Stan will be assistant.

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

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

First to mention what? That Stan would be Number 2 to the "new" boss ?

If it was then he was not the first. As far back as 8th November I suggested it and again on 22nd November.