FAI refuse to give Staunton backing
Friday, 19 October 2007 20:43
Steve Staunton's days as Republic of Ireland manager appear to be numbered after the chief executive of the FAI failed to give his public backing to the beleaguered boss.
John Delaney told RTÉ it was important for the governing body to consider their options in light of Wednesday's awful home draw with Cyprus which ended Euro 2008 qualification hopes.
There is mounting pressure on Staunton, who is midway through a four-year contract, to go after a disappointing campaign which also included a 5-2 thrashing in Nicosia and a close shave in San Marino.
And rather than give Staunton his public support, Delaney instead appeared to attempt to wriggle free of the blame that has been attached to him for appointing a boss with no previous managerial experience.
Delaney said: 'It was very clear that three people were involved when Steve was appointed. It was a sub-committee of the FAI of three people who made the appointment of the management team.
'It's unfortunate that I've been personally linked to the appointment when it was a decision of a committee of 10.'
Delaney went on to indicate that an FAI meeting to discuss the situation, scheduled for after the final match of the campaign in Wales next month, could be brought forward to this weekend.
If that is the case it will almost certainly mean the end for Staunton, with the Irish doubtless keen to get the public back on side for the start of the World Cup qualifying process.
But Delaney added: 'This is the third or fourth 'crisis' around the management. It is important board members get time to reflect on recent performances.
'We had it after Cyprus, we had it after San Marino, we had it after Prague. So people are getting conditioned to this sort of crisis.'
- Six One News: Pressure on Staunton eases - for now
