Staunton insists job is safe

The plot thickened today surrounding the position of Republic of Ireland manager Steve Staunton.

Ahead of tomorrow’s Euro 2008 qualifying game against the Czech Republic at Lansdowne Road, Staunton claimed he had been reassured his job was safe, regardless of the result.

He also apparently dismissed the suggestion he would quit should another heavy defeat follow Saturday’s 5-2 hammering by Cyprus.

Staunton believes he is staying, despite a run of four straight defeats. Former manager Brian Kerr lost just four overall in his 32 games in charge prior to his departure.

When asked whether he had been given any reassurances with regard to his position, Staunton replied: “Yes. Everything is fine.

“I’m going to be here next month no matter what is written and no matter what happens tomorrow.

“We know what’s gone on over the past few days, and I accept and take the criticism on the chin. It’s not a problem for me.

“We have to get on with it now. We are what we are. I’m proud to be Irish and I would like to ask the Irish public to stand by us because we will get it right.

“We have to stick together, that’s the supporters and ourselves.”

It was a defiant rallying cry from Staunton in the wake of fierce condemnation of the nightmare in Nicosia where the Republic suffered one of the darkest days in their football history.

Staunton’s words followed an unequivocal statement from Football Association of Ireland president David Blood who last night made it clear Staunton was not under any threat.

However, just three hours after Staunton spoke, the tone changed when FAI chief executive John Delaney spoke on the steps of the Department of the Arts, Sport and Tourism building in Dublin.

When asked about Staunton’s future, Delaney said: “In terms of Steven managing the team, the FAI support that, I support it, and David Blood as president. That’s as it is today. No problems.”

But when questioned as to the FAI’s position should Ireland suffer a heavy defeat, Delaney replied: “I won’t get into that.

“We’ve a game tomorrow and I want the Irish public to get behind us.”

Delaney was pressed on Staunton’s comment that he would be in charge for next month’s game with San Marino, and whether from the FAI’s point of view, that would be the case.

“It doesn’t come into the equation. We’ve a game tomorrow we want to play, with 36,000 people coming to it,” deflected Delaney.

“Of course we’re disappointed with the Cyprus result. It was a poor performance, there’s no doubt about that.

“But it’s about tomorrow, about people getting behind Steven and the management team, and let’s hope we get the performance we all want.

“We don’t comment on contracts unless we have something to say. I won’t say he is in for this match or that match. We haven’t done it in the past, and we won’t do it in the future.”

Delaney appeared to distance himself from Staunton’s rhetoric in recent weeks regarding a four-year plan and that he is building towards the 2010 World Cup.

“The main point I want to make is for the public to get behind the Irish team. There are good days ahead. There are bad days ahead,” remarked Delaney.

“If we are building for the future, and Steven has taken the view to play the younger lads, then that’s a positive statement for a manager to do.”

Delaney could not have been more evasive, with Staunton appearing to stand alone tomorrow when he returns to the touchline following a one-match ban served in Nicosia.

It now remains to be seen how the fans react to Staunton prior to kick-off and, more crucially, their response should Ireland lose.

The supporters are the key to Staunton’s future because should they turn against him his position may prove untenable.

Asked whether he feared any kind of backlash tomorrow, the 37-year-old replied: “I know we’ll get a great reception.

“It’s now up to the lads to go out there and show those supporters what they can do. That’s all we can do.

“We will give everything we’ve got. As long as I see the passion for the green jersey, then that’s all you can ask of them, to give their all. That’s it.

“The performance on Saturday has gone. We know defensively we were very poor. I wasn’t happy with it, but there’s nothing we can do about it now.

“With 10 matches remaining, we have to look forward, and I know everybody in that dressing room is going to try their hardest for the supporters.

“We’ve great fans and I’d appeal to them to stick with us because we have young lads in there and they’ll be doing their utmost for that green jersey.”

Aiden McGeady joined a growing casualty list after twisting his ankle in training, with Paddy Kenny and Stephen Ireland (both hamstring), and Andy O’Brien and Kevin Doyle (both ankle) also out of the running.