Friday, October 19, 2007

Stan clearly isn't the man

After 17 matches 21 months Steve Staunton may be in his final weeks or even days as Ireland boss. This comes after chief executive of the FAI, John Delaney failed to give public backing to the Ireland manager in a recent interview with RTE.

Doubts over Staunton's future arose at several stages during the campaign after disgraceful performances in Nicosia, San Marino and Prague. But after a woeful draw to Cyprus at Croke Park in midweek and chants for Stan's departure, we may have seen the last of him in charge for the Republic of Ireland.

Delaney in the interview repeatedly avoided the questions about supporting Stan, saying that, "it is unfortunate that I have been linked to the appointment of Staunton personally", indicating the beginning of a blame game in the FAI.

It is well known in the Irish public, that the already much disliked, John Delaney was at fault for the induction of Staunton and this horrendous period in Irish football. In my view, Stan was a toddler plunged into the deep end with the deflated armbands of Bobby Robson and the encouragement of a lackluster FAI.

If (more like when) Staunton goes who's next in line for Ireland, John Aldridge, David O'Leary, Martin O'Neill or will the FAI throw up another shocker of a manager.