Time to choose manager warn players

Senior Republic of Ireland players have warned they will not tolerate any further delay in the naming of a permanent successor to Steve Staunton after their narrow defeat to Brazil last night.

Don Givens, the head of the FAI’s selection panel who has doubled as caretaker coach for the last two games, refused to discuss the situation beyond reiterating that an announcement is expected on Sunday.

The officials’ dithering has cast doubt over their bid to lure Italian legend Giovanni Trapattoni from his current club Red Bull Salzburg, with Terry Venables rendered a very public second choice.

Midfielder Lee Carsley has warned it is imperative that the situation is sorted out soon so the squad can begin building towards the crucial kick-off of their World Cup 2010 qualifier in Georgia in September.

Carsley said: “Whoever is picking the manager has had enough time now. There are enough candidates and we’d be better off if we named one of them.

“This might well only have been a friendly but we are preparing for a massive campaign so we need someone in sooner rather than later. Hopefully there will be an announcement this week.”

Meanwhile Reading’s in-form midfielder Stephen Hunt expressed his frustration at the extended caretaker regime after once again having to settle for a place on the bench at Croke Park.

“I thought I might start with the way I’m playing at the moment,” said Hunt. “I’m disappointed. Some of the excuses I was given were a bit iffy to be honest. But we’ve got to look forward to the new man and the future.”

Reported links with former Derby chief Billy Davies, which the FAI have refused to confirm, fuel the fear that the FAI have dug themselves into a hole and could yet miss out on both of their favoured big-name candidates.

They face enough of a conundrum as it is with general consensus favouring a link with Trapattoni but the players seemingly favouring a move to land former England coach Venables.

Damien Duff, who returned to the side for the first time in 10 months last night, shrugged off the delay. “I’m not surprised about it at all,” Duff said. “This is Ireland, after all.”

Meanwhile captain Robbie Keane insists the experience of facing the Brazilians - who clinched victory with a clever 65th minute strike from Robinho – will stand the squad in good stead.

Keane said: “If you want to improve, you want to be playing teams like Brazil. We have Italy in our group and they’re just as good as Brazil. It was a good test for the younger players.”