Is Stan the man?

THE deal may not be officially inked yet but already the debate has started in earnest about the likely appointment of Steve ‘Stan’ Staunton as Republic of Ireland manager — with assistance from veteran boss Bobby Robson.

Barring any last-minute hitches, the double appointment is expected to be confirmed later this week, bringing an end to the search for a replacement for Brian Kerr, whose contract ended with Ireland's failure to qualify for the World Cup finals in Germany.

It's understood the FAI have met with both men and that negotiations are at an advanced stage, with an announcement imminent.

However, the ongoing talks are said to be at a delicate juncture. One source close to the negotiations said: "The trickiest part of a flight is the landing but the signs are positive and the next few days will see everything either falling into place or out of place."

Yesterday, a number of bookmakers suspended betting on Staunton and elsewhere his odds were slashed to 1/6.

Staunton, who is a player-coach at Walsall, is reported to have had talks with the FAI's three-man head-hunting committee in England over the weekend.

If the final phase of negotiations proves successful, Ireland's most-capped player will become the new manager, supported by former England boss Robson in what is being described as an "advisory" or "consultative" position.

However, it is also understood Robson would have a full-time role.

While, privately, the FAI had held out hope that Martin O'Neill might be in a position to take over from Kerr, the well-documented personal circumstances of the former Celtic manager appear to have effectively ruled him out of the running.

Staunton's name had always featured prominently in the speculation about Kerr's successor, although many assumed his lack of managerial experience would only see him involved in an assistant role.

However, it is clear the former international is in line for the top job, with Robson vastly experienced in management at international and club level providing a guiding hand.

Walsall boss Paul Merson has said he wouldn't stand in Staunton's way if he wanted to take the Irish job.

"He is respected in Ireland," said the former Arsenal player, "and I think the fans would want it. I'd back him. Everybody who plays football would love to manage their country, so of course I'd let him go. No worries about that."

For his part, Robson is a free agent since being dismissed by Newcastle United in August 2004.

In this newspaper on Saturday, we reported that the FAI were prepared to act like a dating agency in pursuit of a "dream team".

Now, it appears that not only has there been a whirlwind romance, but one that could justifiably be described as being of the "May and December" kind.

Youthful in managerial terms, Staunton will be 37 next Tuesday while Robson, who will turn 73 next month, is one of the grand old men of football.

The FAI clearly hope that between them they will bring the requisite mix of man-motivation and know-how to restore Ireland's flagging football fortunes in advance of the European Championship qualifying campaign, the draw for which takes place in Switzerland later this month.

With 102 caps to his credit, Staunton is an Irish football record-holder, his experience in the green shirt including appearances in three World Cup finals Italia '90, USA '94 and Japan/Korea 2002.

In the fall-out from Saipan, Staunton found himself in the opposing camp to Roy Keane, and it was widely reported that there was no love lost between the two.

However, with Keane having retired from international football, that is one problem area with which Staunton will not have to contend as manager.

Staunton is hugely experienced as a player, having made his reputation with Liverpool before going on to spells with Aston Villa, Crystal Palace, Bradford, Coventry and Walsall, where he gained coaching experience as assistant to Merson.

A former captain of his country, the Louth man was noted for his personal motivation and powers of leadership, qualities the FAI are hoping will inspire the Irish dressing room.

The avuncular Robson, by contrast, will be expected to make available his enormous managerial experience including stints with Ipswich, PSV Eindhoven, Barcelona, Sporting Lisbon, Porto and Newcastle, as well as taking England to the World Cup semi-finals in 1990.

With the planned appointments still to be confirmed and precise details yet to be made available it is probably too early to offer a judgment on the FAI's strategy, other than to say it would be welcome to have a man in the job in good time for the friendly game against Sweden on March 1. What can be said is that, by any standards, the FAI's decision to go with a combination of the tried and the untested is a gamble and one which only results on the field of play will prove right or wrong.