Delaney denies claims the FAI failed to keep appointments

FAI CHIEF John Delaney last night strongly denied an accusation that the Association had failed to keep scheduled appointments with candidates for the Irish manager’s job.

His comments were in response to claims yesterday by John Aldridge that he wanted to put on record his "disgust" with Ireland's governing football body over their handling of the appointment of Brian Kerr's successor.

Aldridge claims that his agent got a call last month from the FAI asking to nominate and keep clear two days last week for a meeting. Aldridge says that he was therefore upset to learn of reports last Monday saying that Steve Staunton and Bobby Robson had been appointed.

Explaining that he wanted to put on record his "disgust at the way this mess developed", the former Irish international went on: "I received no phone call to tell me that the meetings had been cancelled and I've heard nothing since. I know we've come to expect this sort of stuff from the FAI. However, it doesn't make it any easier to stomach and does nothing for Ireland's reputation among football people internationally."

But speaking after Steve Staunton's inaugural press conference yesterday, FAI boss John Delaney insisted that all candidates for the position had been contacted to appraise them of the situation.

Said Delaney: "I'm not going to comment on anyone individually but I'm going to be very strong on this. Unfortunately this story [the Staunton/Robson appointments] broke earlier than it should, on the Monday. We wrote to whoever had applied for the job and we spoke to all agents who had made representations on behalf of their particular clients. In fact, some agents rang to clarify the position afterwards and say that there wasn't ever a meeting set up. So I think you can understand what I'm saying there.

"If someone can name the hotel, the time and the date of when meetings were set up for, I'll put my hand up and say I'm wrong. But I know on this I'm absolutely not wrong, 100%.

"I'm not going to comment on who we've contacted because I don't think that's the way to do business. I'd prefer if someone had an issue that they'd come and deal with us directly as opposed to through the media. What I do know is that we contacted everybody who applied for the job either in writing or through their agents and everybody accepted everybody that there was no meetings of any kind set up. I can't be any stronger than that."

Of Staunton's relationship with the FAI, Delaney said: "There's going to be a very strong working relationship between Steve Staunton and the Association. One thing that impressed me throughout the whole process with him is that he wants to get back to the club environment, he wants the voluntary side, the executive side and the players to work closer as a grouping."

Delaney also played down the issue of the commercial opportunities that the job could open up for Staunton.

"I don't think that's a priority for him," he said. "I think he's made the point that's he's here to first and foremost manage the football team and to assist the Association in whatever we're trying to do."