Post by Taxigirl on Jan 11, 2006 8:46:18 GMT
www.sportinglife.com/football/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/06/01/11/SOCCER_Republic_Staunton.html
Steve Staunton is to turn to Kevin MacDonald as his coaching guru in the new Republic of Ireland set-up.
MacDonald, currently reserve-team coach at Aston Villa, is to take on the senior coaching role with the Republic.
The two men first crossed paths at Liverpool with MacDonald in the twilight of his days at Anfield and Staunton embarking on his career with the Reds.
Staunton also knows MacDonald well from his time at Aston Villa as the 45-year-old Scot has long been part of the backroom team.
While managers have come and gone at Villa Park, he has remained part of the fixtures and fittings.
MacDonald, who holds a UEFA pro licence coaching badge, is currently working under Villa boss and former Republic defender David O'Leary.
The pieces of the jigsaw are beginning to fall in place for Staunton, who is due to be unveiled by the Football Association of Ireland on Monday along with advisor and mentor Sir Bobby Robson.
Staunton, who celebrates his 37th birthday in eight days' time, looks set to be handed a four-year contract, with Robson on a two-year deal.
The FAI see that as ideal for Robson in order to ease Staunton, who has recently been coaching with Coca-Cola League One Walsall, into an unfamiliar role given his lack of managerial experience.
However, the FAI have entrusted Staunton with the task of appointing his own backroom team, despite Robson's contacts from his many years in the game.
It was initially felt Robson would look to bring in John Carver, who was his assistant during his five years at Newcastle, and now head coach at Leeds.
But the FAI see it as vital there are no grey areas when it comes to the roles of Staunton and Robson, and have been drawing demarcation lines to that effect.
Staunton is the man in charge, with Robson to undertake whatever is required, a position he is believed to be more than happy with.
For Staunton, becoming manager will be the realisation of a life-long ambition, according to proud father Tom.
"He is elated. He is thrilled, absolutely thrilled with it. He has a spring in his step again," said Staunton snr.
"I am very happy for him because that was his ambition, to play football, to play for his country and eventually manage and there it is. It has happened in my lifetime, so thanks be to God."
Staunton snr recalled how the speculation had mounted in recent months since former manager Brian Kerr lost his job in October after failing to qualify Ireland for this summer's World Cup finals.
"Within a few weeks his name was mentioned, and it was mentioned, and suddenly there he is," he added.
"He is not appointed yet, but that is the way it seems to be going.
"He knew he was in the frame, shall we say. But suddenly he is number one, achieving his ambition to lead out his country.
"That was his ambition after finishing football."
But Staunton has been warned he will be taking a risk by accepting the job by former international team-mate Tony Cascarino.
"I just wish this opportunity had come a couple of years later," Cascarino wrote in The Times.
"He is a young man and going from assistant at Walsall to manager of his country is a huge step, even if Sir Bobby Robson will be there to help him.
"It can be so hard to recover from setbacks at the start of your managerial career. It is important that the FAI gives him two qualifying campaigns - European Championships, then World Cup - regardless of how results go in the next two years.
"It would be the easy route to replace him if things wobble, but he needs time to gain experience and grow into the job."
Cascarino also raised doubts over whether Robson, given his age, would prove the right man to provide guidance.
"I agree with the FAI that he needs a wise head by his side," Cascarino declared.
"Being old and wise is one thing, but is 72 too old? I would like to see Sir Bobby in an informal, limited role."
Steve Staunton is to turn to Kevin MacDonald as his coaching guru in the new Republic of Ireland set-up.
MacDonald, currently reserve-team coach at Aston Villa, is to take on the senior coaching role with the Republic.
The two men first crossed paths at Liverpool with MacDonald in the twilight of his days at Anfield and Staunton embarking on his career with the Reds.
Staunton also knows MacDonald well from his time at Aston Villa as the 45-year-old Scot has long been part of the backroom team.
While managers have come and gone at Villa Park, he has remained part of the fixtures and fittings.
MacDonald, who holds a UEFA pro licence coaching badge, is currently working under Villa boss and former Republic defender David O'Leary.
The pieces of the jigsaw are beginning to fall in place for Staunton, who is due to be unveiled by the Football Association of Ireland on Monday along with advisor and mentor Sir Bobby Robson.
Staunton, who celebrates his 37th birthday in eight days' time, looks set to be handed a four-year contract, with Robson on a two-year deal.
The FAI see that as ideal for Robson in order to ease Staunton, who has recently been coaching with Coca-Cola League One Walsall, into an unfamiliar role given his lack of managerial experience.
However, the FAI have entrusted Staunton with the task of appointing his own backroom team, despite Robson's contacts from his many years in the game.
It was initially felt Robson would look to bring in John Carver, who was his assistant during his five years at Newcastle, and now head coach at Leeds.
But the FAI see it as vital there are no grey areas when it comes to the roles of Staunton and Robson, and have been drawing demarcation lines to that effect.
Staunton is the man in charge, with Robson to undertake whatever is required, a position he is believed to be more than happy with.
For Staunton, becoming manager will be the realisation of a life-long ambition, according to proud father Tom.
"He is elated. He is thrilled, absolutely thrilled with it. He has a spring in his step again," said Staunton snr.
"I am very happy for him because that was his ambition, to play football, to play for his country and eventually manage and there it is. It has happened in my lifetime, so thanks be to God."
Staunton snr recalled how the speculation had mounted in recent months since former manager Brian Kerr lost his job in October after failing to qualify Ireland for this summer's World Cup finals.
"Within a few weeks his name was mentioned, and it was mentioned, and suddenly there he is," he added.
"He is not appointed yet, but that is the way it seems to be going.
"He knew he was in the frame, shall we say. But suddenly he is number one, achieving his ambition to lead out his country.
"That was his ambition after finishing football."
But Staunton has been warned he will be taking a risk by accepting the job by former international team-mate Tony Cascarino.
"I just wish this opportunity had come a couple of years later," Cascarino wrote in The Times.
"He is a young man and going from assistant at Walsall to manager of his country is a huge step, even if Sir Bobby Robson will be there to help him.
"It can be so hard to recover from setbacks at the start of your managerial career. It is important that the FAI gives him two qualifying campaigns - European Championships, then World Cup - regardless of how results go in the next two years.
"It would be the easy route to replace him if things wobble, but he needs time to gain experience and grow into the job."
Cascarino also raised doubts over whether Robson, given his age, would prove the right man to provide guidance.
"I agree with the FAI that he needs a wise head by his side," Cascarino declared.
"Being old and wise is one thing, but is 72 too old? I would like to see Sir Bobby in an informal, limited role."