
On this day (24th October) in 2007, Steve Staunton had his contract terminated as Ireland boss. Staunton, who had taken over from Brian Kerr in January 2006, had been under pressure due to results in the Euro 2008 qualifying campaign.
Amidst fans dissatisfaction, and after Chief Executive John Delaney gave an interview to RTE – where he publicly refused to back his manager and attempted to absolve himself of any responsibility for his part in Staunton’s appointment – the FAI had called an emergency meeting to discuss Staunton’s role on 23rd October 2007. Staunton had himself refused to resign his position and had vowed to see out the remainder of his four-year contract.

After indicating that the FAI meeting would take place in Dublin’s Crown Plaza Hotel, it transpired that Staunton had already met the FAI in secret at the Radisson Hotel at Dublin Airport. After deliberating for six hours, the decision was made to end his reign as international manager. He was replaced by Don Givens on an interim basis before Italian football legend Giovanni Trapattoni was named permanent Ireland manager.
FAI President David Blood thanked Staunton and his management team (including Assistant Kevin McDonald, goalkeeping coach Alan Kelly, and International Football Consultant Sir Bobby Robson) for their efforts. “They have brought through many young players and leave behind a squad with strong development potential,” said Blood in a statement. However, he also admitted that he was not happy with the lack of success under Staunton’s leadership. “As a member of the three-man committee that made the recommendation to appoint Stephen and his team, I am disappointed that things have not worked out the way I, Stephen or my colleagues on the board expected,” added Blood.

Formerly a player/assistant manager at Walsall, Staunton was appointed Ireland manager on 13th January 2006. He was something of a shock choice for the role, given his limited coaching and managerial experience. Especially so after John Delaney had promised Ireland fans that a “world class” management team would be put in place to attempt to qualify for the 2008 European Championships.
During his unveiling Staunton said: “I know that the calibre of the team I have will bring a huge range of experience and talent to the challenges that lie ahead…I’m the boss. I’m the gaffer. At the end of the day what I say goes, the buck stops with me…”. A famous soundbite that overshadowed his tenure as Ireland boss.

His stint in charge of Ireland got off to a dream start with an impressive 3-0 win over Sweden at Lansdowne Road on 1st March 2006 (with goals from Damien Duff, Robbie Keane, and Liam Miller). That was followed by two friendly defeats, a 1-0 reverse against Chile on 23rd May 2006 and a 4-0 drubbing by the Netherlands. Ireland’s heaviest home defeat for 40 years. Prior to the Netherlands game, Staunton was involved in a bizarre incident where he was confronted and threatened by a man with an imitation gun outside of the team hotel. No harm was caused but the event was a public relations disaster for both Staunton and the FAI.

His first competitive match in charge was against Germany in Stuttgart on 2nd September 2006, a 1-0 defeat in which a deflected Lukas Podolski free kick gave Germany a hard-fought victory. During the game Staunton was sent to the stand for dissent, kicking a water bottle in anger.

However, what followed this encouraging performance was a staggering 5-2 defeat by Cyprus in Nicosia. Watching from the stands because of a touchline ban, Staunton watched a horror show unfold in front of his eyes as Ireland were humbled. After Stephen Ireland’s early strike, goals from Michalis Constantinou and Alexis Garpozis put Cyprus 2-1 ahead. Richard Dunne levelled before half-time but Constantinou’s penalty put Cyprus 3-2 up on 50 minutes. Two Constantinos Charalambidis goals plus Richard Dunne’s sending off completed a nightmare outcome. Although Ireland were missing some key players, this did not excuse the ineptitude of the performance.

The pressure eased a little on Staunton after a 1-1 draw against the Czech Republic, and that was followed up with a 5-0 home win over San Marino (the last match played at the old Lansdowne Road pitch). In the away match against San Marino, Ireland blushes were spared when Stephen Ireland scored four minutes into injury time to win 2-1. This lucky escape against a side ranked 195th in the world ratcheted up the calls for Staunton to resign and brought a deluge of media criticism down upon the former Liverpool and Aston Villa man.

After back-to-back 1-0 home victories against Wales and Slovakia, two one-all draws against Ecuador and Bolivia in the USA and a 4-0 friendly win in Denmark, it had been hoped that a corner had been turned, with Ireland in third place in the qualifying group and back in contention for qualification. However, this proved to be a false dawn.
On 8th September 2007 Ireland drew 2-2 with Slovakia. Leading 2-1 after goals from Stephen Ireland and Shane Long, an injury time strike from Marek Cech cancelled their advantage and left Ireland needing a win against the Czech Republic in Prague on 12th September 2007 to keep their qualification hopes alive. However, those hopes looked over after a 1-0 defeat, despite a battling display. This was a game that was overshadowed by Stephen Ireland’s controversial withdrawal from the squad.

A 0-0 draw with Germany on 13th October 2007 at Croke Park and a 1-1 draw at home to Cyprus secured qualification for both Germany and the Czech Republic. Ireland would not be competing in the 2008 European Championship and soon after Staunton was relieved of his duties.
It was an unfortunate and sad end to the managerial tenure of a legendary player. Although the 5-2 defeat against Cyprus remains one of our most embarrassing and chastening defeats, the media pressure and ridicule that Staunton faced at that time was over the top. Looking back his appointment came very early for him – too early – and circumstances did work against him. With questions about his aptitude for the job, and criticism of his tactical nous, Ireland were also in a tough group and his was arguably a team in transition. Staunton’s mentor Bobby Robson was also unfortunately ill during his spell in charge.
Despite his chaotic tenure as Manager, Staunton’s stock with Ireland fans will forever be high due to his fine appearances in the green jersey and his 102 caps. He was one of our finest ever footballers, and this should never be forgotten.
