FAI: No sack for Stan, even if beaten by Czechs

Football Association of Ireland president David Blood has insisted Steve Staunton’s position as manager is not under threat – even if the team lose to the Czech Republic tomorrow.

Staunton has faced heavy criticism following Saturday’s 5-2 defeat to Cyprus in a Euro 2008 qualifier, with the suggestion the axe is to fall should a fifth successive loss follow against the Czechs.

If the Republic are beaten, it will represent the worst start to a campaign since Ireland lost the first four qualifying matches for the 1962 World Cup.

Worse still for under-fire Staunton is that former boss Brian Kerr lost just four of the 32 games he was in charge, with just two of those qualifying matches.

The statistics are damning as far as Staunton is concerned, but he – and the man who recruited the 37-year-old in chief executive John Delaney – have been given the dreaded vote of confidence by the FAI.

“There has been a lot of speculation in relation to our manager and our chief executive, and I want to allay fears their positions are under threat,” asserted Blood.

“On the contrary, they are consolidating their positions.”

In particular with regard to Staunton, Blood added: “Why would we look at it at this stage?

“We’ve asked him in on a long-term basis to see if he would be prepared to take the team on and qualify us for a World Cup. It’s a rebuild situation.

“We are certainly not considering any change of our tactics at this particular time.

“Stan (Staunton) has done a tremendous job for us over many years, and he has a back-up team that are highly supportive and skilled.

“It has been slightly unfortunate with the injuries and Bobby Robson not being available to him, but I feel we have the stamina to last this particular test.”

When asked whether a heavy defeat to the Czech Republic would alter the stance of the FAI, Blood replied: “No. Positively no.

“We have given Stephen an opportunity to come in and he has taken our situation forward to the degree we now have a highly professional backroom staff.

“They have to be given the time and the opportunity.”