McCarthy: Staunton critics taking the mick

Former Ireland manager Mick McCarthy is angry some of Steve Staunton’s “ex-colleagues, peers and friends” have heaped further pressure on the under-fire national team boss.

McCarthy has spoken out in support of Staunton, insisting he is “sick” of speculation suggesting his friend is set to lose his job.

The FAI are to hold an emergency board meeting where it is suggested Staunton’s ill-fated reign will be brought to an end having failed to secure qualification for Euro 2008.

But there could be major ramifications for the FAI if Staunton, 39, decides to lift the lid on a number of contentious issues.

These include the promise he was assured only last month his job was safe for the 2010 World Cup qualifiers irrespective of results last week in Dublin against Germany, a creditable goalless draw, and the dismal 1-1 deadlock with outsiders Cyprus.

With the team in another transitional stage following their failure to reach last year’s World Cup finals, it was Staunton’s understanding a main feature of his brief was to discover and nurture a promising set of youngsters for future squads.

He still has more than two years to go on his contract, which would present the hard-up FAI with a huge compensation issue.

McCarthy, who guided the Republic to the 2002 World Cup and both captained and managed Staunton during the latter’s playing career, has hit out at the criticism of the current boss.

The Wolves manager told Sky Sports News: “I’ve been sick of people talking about Stan going and even sicker that some of his ex-colleagues, his peers and friends, have been talking about him going.

“So I’m not going to join in.

“He was given a four-year contract and they knew it was a developing squad, and I don’t think they expected to qualify.

“They made their decision and I’m not here to decide one way or the other.

“Stan is a real good pal of mine. He was wonderful for me as a player and captain.”

The desperately disappointing 1-1 draw at home to Cyprus last week represented a new low in the former Liverpool player’s tenure but McCarthy said: “I felt for him, watching him on the side of the pitch against Cyprus. I’ve been there when it’s not going right and it’s tough.

“They had the confidence in him to give him a four-year contract, and if they don’t want to pursue it let them deal with it.

“I hope he’s all right. I spoke to him and he still wants to do it. He’s confident he’s doing the right thing. Good luck to him because he’s a great guy.”

David O’Leary is sure to figure among the bookmakers’ favourites for the job if Staunton’s 21-month reign is ended.

Former Arsenal and Ireland centre-back O’Leary, 49, would be a popular choice among the fans even though he has not held a high-profile job in football since being dismissed as manager of Aston Villa at the the end of the 2005-06 season after three years in charge following a move from Leeds.

He won 68 caps for the Republic and scored the vital penalty which put them through to the quarter-finals of the 1990 World Cup.

Ireland’s fans are up in arms over the perceived major decline of the team.

Reaction to Staunton’s troubled stewardship – with former England boss Bobby Robson backing him up as official consultant – has been long and loud during a calamitous Euro 2008 qualifying programme, particularly after the Irish needed a stoppage-time winner to beat the eternal minnows of San Marino.

There is one more qualifier to go against Wales in Cardiff next month but, like their next opponents, Staunton’s squad are out of the running for the finals.

For the first time, a contracted Irish manager is on the brink of being forcefully removed from his post by the board, who initially rubber-stamped his appointment.

The dismissals of previous team bosses Eoin Hand, Charlton, McCarthy and Brian Kerr were all seen as being handled badly by the FAI but Staunton’s exit could prove to be the messiest of the lot.

What will rankle with Staunton is the notion that he alone should carry the can.

Usually decisive and forceful, FAI chief executive John Delaney has been accused in the Irish media of inaction and been told he should have shown Staunton the door last week.

However, some pundits believe Delaney may still follow the lead of Republic captain, Tottenham’s Robbie Keane and other leading players in supporting Staunton, who could yet receive a vote of confidence.