FAI get their man as Stan puts pen to paper
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.
Yesterday FAI sources indicated that there were still a couple of “small items” to be resolved but it’s understood that Staunton and Robson have signed on the dotted line, paving the way for an announcement today and an inaugural press conference Dublin’s Mansion House on Monday.
What threadbare cover that was left in the story was comprehensively blown in Birmingham yesterday when Staunton met Delaney off the plane from Dublin, in full view of the RTÉ cameras. Ireland’s most-capped player remained tight-lipped about his appointment but, later in the afternoon, a statement from Walsall FC confirmed that the 36-year-old had been released from his contract.
Following the official announcement appearing on the club’s website, Walsall chief executive Roy Whalley added further detail. He said: “I met John (Delaney) at the Bescot Stadium this morning and we had a very amicable discussion. We are pleased with the way the FAI conducted their business. We have reached an agreement with the FAI, a settlement that was satisfactory to both sides, that will enable them to pursue their interest in Steve.”
The FAI’s compensation payment to the club is believed to be in the region of e88,000. Said Whalley: “As far as we are concerned we have now cleared the way for them to appoint Steve. The door is open and we wish Steve every success for his first venture in management, and the same message of goodwill goes to the FAI.
The Chief Executive added: “We are due to meet with Steve soon because he will need to cancel his playing registration with ourselves. I’m sure he will also say a few goodbyes. He has been with us since the start of the season, although injury has meant he hasn’t played as much as he would have liked. But when he has played, it was very easy to see he has played at the top level.
“He has also been involved on the coaching side, so hopefully his time with Walsall has been very useful in introducing him to that side of the business and it will help him in the future.
“When I met him yesterday I said to him ‘exciting times lie ahead’, and he agreed with me. After making over 100 caps for your country, to then become the manager I would think is a dream come true for him.”
Meanwhile, Mark Hughes, who made the leap from player to international manager, has wished Staunton all the best. Said Hughes, who brought Wales to the brink of qualification for Euro 2004: “The job can be very rewarding, but very frustrating in the same measure. I would say ‘good luck’. It was a fantastic experience for myself, a real education. From my point of view I would recommend it to anybody. ”
The boss of Blackburn Rovers also thinks that the appointment of Bobby Robson as Staunton’s back-up makes sense.
“For Steve, it’s a really good appointment. Sir Bobby will be able to oversee what Steve is doing and maybe have an input when and if he feels it is necessary.”
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