Former Ireland manager Steve Staunton has thrown his weight behind Martin O’Neill to replace Giovanni Trapattoni in the Irish hotseat.
The Dundalk native, who won 102 caps for his country before retiring in 2002, told Sky Sports News that he felt the Derry native was the ideal candidate to succeed the Italian.
“He’s got more experience than anybody out there so it wouldn’t be a bad shout,” said Staunton.
“He’s managed Celtic for five years and done really well up there, and at other clubs he’s done really well, so that wouldn’t be a bad choice. Who knows what the FAI have in mind, but Martin would be up there high on the list.
“I would like to see an Irishman get it or somebody who’s from these islands, who knows what the Irish boys are about and knows the mentality. The FAI has a tough job now,” he said.
O’Neill is the bookies’ favourite for the job and there could even be the possibility of Staunton joining him in the new set-up as the pair worked together at Sunderland before O’Neill’s dismissal in March.
You can watch Staunton’s interview with Sky Sports News above.
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