FAI respond to manager rumours
Monday, 14 January 2008 17:33The FAI have responded to recent speculation in the media regarding the appointment of a new senior international manager by insisting no offers have been made as yet.
In a brief but timely statement posted on the FAI's website, the FAI attempt to clarify some of the issues that have been raised in the media in recent days, none more so than the belief that Terry Venables is almost certain to replace Steve Staunton as national team manager.
However, former French captain Didier Deschamps has been installed as the new odds-on favourite for the job with leading bookmakers.
Venables comes next in the market and reports today suggest the former England manager could meet FAI members later this week regarding the position.
But the FAI insist no offers have been made and that news of any appointment will first be announced on the association's official website.
The statement read:
The Football Association of Ireland wishes to clarify several points that have arisen from media coverage of the process to select a new manager for the Republic of Ireland senior international team.
1: No person has been offered the job. Any suggestion to the contrary is incorrect.
2: No announcement of an appointment will be made until the selection panel have made a recommendation to the FAI Board of Management; the board have ratified that recommendation and the nominee has accepted the position.
3: The first announcement of the appointment of the next manager will be made on the FAI website.
4: Because of the need to maintain confidentiality the FAI and the selection panel do not comment publicly or privately on the candidates.
5: The FAI is happy with the progress being made by the selection panel.
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