Big Jack backs Stan to do well

Former Irish boss Jack Charlton, who took the national team to Euro ‘88 and to successive World Cups in the ‘90s, has given Steve Staunton his full backing and blessing as new Irish team manager.

Staunton (36) who is Ireland’s most capped player with 102 international appearances and is currently player-coach at the Paul Merson-managed Walsall, will be unveiled as Brian Kerr’s successor by the FAI later in the week.

Big Jack is delighted at the news and the ex-Republic boss said that he is “excited” at the prospect of Bobby Robson coming in as an advisor to work alongside the Drogheda-born Staunton.

“I think this partnership would be excellent. They would be good together. Robson knows exactly what to do and Steve knows what is necessary,” Jack Charlton told the Evening Echo from his home in Ashington outside Newcastle.

Former Celtic boss Martin O’Neill was reportedly the FAI’s first choice to take over from Kerr — but he is taking a sabbatical from football while his wife, Geraldine, recovers from illness.

“Bobby Robson has got the experience to teach Steve and his enthusiasm for the game is second to none,” said Charlton.

“Steve Staunton is a good lad. I don’t know what qualifications he has got for the job, apart from being a good player but I think he would be OK.

“If they were appointed now I would agree with that decision to be honest,” he added.

Bobby Robson (72), the ex-Barcelona, Newcastle and England boss is tipped to join Staunton in the new managerial set-up.

Irish striker Clinton Morrison is also excited by the prospect of a Staunton/Robson link-up.

“Steve helped a lot of the young players when I was around him — and I hope he still likes me.

“But he was friendly with all the players and got on with them and, although it will be difficult for him, I think he is a professional man and he knows he is there as a manager,” he added.

“As for Bobby, he has got great experience. He has been a top manager wherever he has gone and he has won trophies,” said Morrison.

Former coach Brian Kerr left the job after the team failed to qualify for the World Cup finals in Germany next summer.

Staunton, who spent most of his playing career with Liverpool and Aston Villa, captained the Republic of Ireland 16 times.

He played for his country in three World Cup finals, in Italy, the USA and in Japan/Korea where his final game was the second-round penalty-shoot-out elimination at the hands of Spain in South Korea in 2002.

Before Christmas, Walsall boss Merson admitted he would not stand in Staunton’s way if he got the chance to manage the national team.

“I’d back him,” said Merson at the time.

“Everybody who plays football would love to manage their country one day, so, if it the invite came along, of course I’d let him go.”

Staunton was a key member and negotiator of the players’ World Cup pool over the years and his man management skills surfaced as the skin and hair flew in Saipan as well.

His behind-the-scenes work, motivation and encouragement in re-building team spirit after the Keane fall-out and before the Spanish match has obviously not gone unnoticed by the FAI’s John Delaney.

The FAI wanted a former player to take over the managerial reins and once Staunton, who joined

Liverpool from Dundalk, put his name in the ring he gradually emerged as favourite to take over from Brian Kerr.

Staunton’s international debut as team boss will come on Wednesday, March 1 when Ireland play Sweden in a friendly in Dublin.