FAI get their man as Stan puts pen to paper

THE worst-kept secret in football will be confirmed today when the FAI announce that Steve Staunton is the new manager of the Republic of Ireland, with Bobby Robson as his special advisor.

The association’s Chief Executive John Delaney was in England yesterday to conclude the deal. In Birmingham, he secured the release of Staunton from his role as player-coach with Walsall and also confirmed the appointment of Aston Villa reserve boss Kevin MacDonald as the new Irish coach.

Villa later underlined that MacDonald would continue to combine his role at the club with his international commitments, as Spurs’ Chris Hughton did before him.