Staunton appointment - Novice boss faces toughest challenge

DESPITE the clouds of pessimism shrouding Steve Staunton’s appointment as new Republic of Ireland manager, most football fans will give him the benefit of the doubt — for now.

As Ireland’s most-capped player, and the only one to play in three World Cup finals, his credentials on the pitch have never been in doubt.

But his promotion to top flight management is literally his first non-player role and so it would not be an understatement to describe him as a novice in the shark-infested waters of international soccer.

Inevitably, doubts hang over his capacity to take on this daunting assignment, even if the vastly experienced Bobby Robson will be at his shoulder to “blood him for the job”.

But despite the blend of Staunton’s passion and 72-year-old Robson’s wisdom, it would be misguided to downplay the challenge facing the FAI’s management duo. Psychologically, it would be impossible to overstate the importance of this gamble. Over the years, winning Irish teams have set the nation’s pulse racing.

In better times, the popular mood was up-beat and positive. But whenever things went wrong, the aura of depression rippled outwards from disillusioned fans to a disappointed general public.

Ex-manager Brian Kerr could tell his successor that the crisis-ridden FAI has never been a shining example of consistency or loyalty.

As Steve Staunton begins to lay the groundwork for the European championships in 2008, a launching pad for the World Cup in 2010, his first major challenge will be winning the support of soccer fans and the public at large.