Stan backed for success at Quakers

KEVIN KILBANE has backed Steve Staunton to resurrect his management career at League Two basement club Darlington.

The former Irish manager, and record cap holder, assumes control at the club for the first time this Saturday for the game against Dagenham and Redbridge. Former Aston Villa team-mate Kevin Richardson will be his number two.

“That’s a massive test for him now,” said Kilbane who playing alongside and under Staunton with Ireland. “I think he can do it as well, I really do. Darlington has always been a club that’s been in the basement league since I’ve been playing anyway.

“They’ve managed to get relative success in getting in and around the play-offs but, certainly, in the position they’re in now, they’re well adrift at the bottom of the League Two and it’s a big test for him but this could be the making of him.”

This is Staunton’s first manager’s job since his ill-fated spell in charge of the national side. He also spent 10 months as assistant manager to Gary McAllister at Leeds United before the Scot was sacked.

Kilbane has also backed the decision to offer current Ireland manager, Giovanni Trapattoni, a new contract before the end of the current qualifying campaign.

“He definitely deserves it and he’s earned it. When he took over we were probably in a bit of turmoil towards the end of that last campaign.

“Things weren’t going well and, first and foremost, he initially came in to steady the ship and try and make us solid and try and get results. He’s proven what a great manager he is with us and he’s certainly brought the confidence back to everybody in the team.”