Staunton sets management goal

Aston Villa skipper Steve Staunton wants to become Ireland boss - but not yet.

Although the job is currently vacant following Mick McCarthy‘s resignation, the former 100-cap Ireland defender has no intention of putting his name forward just yet.

Staunton plans to take a coaching qualification at the end of this season and then progress from there.

“I don’t know what the FAI are looking for, if I did I’d be down the bookies. It’s not on my agenda and it would be hypothetical to suggest they’d phone me,” said the 33-year-old.

“I would like one day to manage my country, of course, but I’ve got a lot of learning to do.

“When I see what happens in football, it’s a bit of a crazy world but I’m sure one day I would like to give management a shot.”

Before that Staunton is concentrating on securing his future at Villa.

“No matter what age I am, I know what I can offer. And I think that’s been proved over the last year or two since I’ve come back,” he told the Birmingham Evening Mail.

“I can’t influence everybody and the way they want to see things. The only thing I can influence is what happens on a Saturday when I’m playing.

“As a defender that’s reflected in playing well, or keeping clean sheets. And we haven’t been too bad in that department.

“I want to play as many games as I can this season and we’ll take it from there. If they don’t want to offer me a contract, I’ve no problems with that. That’s their decision.

“All I can do is keep myself fit and keep playing. And if I keep doing what I have been doing this season, I’ll be quite pleased.”