As I was about to post this I realised I haven't had much banter with any fans of the Ireland football team. Maybe there are loads but you just prefer to talk about the mancs and Liverpool .

Back to the post , everyone seen this coming after the Cyprus match , he still didn't get a " good old sacking " though when after being ranked 15 in the world 2 years ago compared to their current position of 32 ....... wonder who will be next in the hot seat :

Staunton leaves Republic boss job

The Football Association of Ireland has terminated the contract of Republic of Ireland boss Steve Staunton by mutual consent following an emergency meeting.

Staunton, who took over from Brian Kerr in January 2006, had been under pressure because of poor performances in the Euro 2008 qualifying campaign.

The nation's bid to reach the finals ended when his team could only manage a 1-1 draw with Cyprus on 17 October.

Under-21 boss Don Givens will take temporary charge of the senior side.

Their final Euro 2008 qualifier is against Wales in Cardiff on 17 November.

Assistant Kevin MacDonald and goalkeeping coach Alan Kelly have also been axed but Sir Bobby Robson will stay on as International Football Consultant.

Former Leeds and Aston Villa boss David O'Leary is the favourite to take over as Republic boss on a permanent basis, while another former player, Liam Brady, has also expressed an interest in the job.

FAI President David Blood thanked Staunton and his management team for their efforts since taking over almost two years ago.

"They have brought through many young players and leave behind a squad with strong development potential," said Blood in a statement.

But he admitted 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.

"The board will select people, with considerable football experience in the professional game, to appoint the new manager."

Football Association of Ireland chief executive John Delaney said appointing outside advisers to head-hunt the successor to Staunton was "the way forward".

When it was put to Delaney that it was recognition that the decision on who to appoint should be made by football professionals rather than FAI administrators, he said: "That's a fair point, yes."

Staunton vowed to stay in the job after the Republic were booed off the Croke Park pitch after the game against Cyprus.

However, FAI chief Delaney refused to publicly back him in the wake of another disappointing display and Staunton eventually left his post following a lengthy meeting in Dublin on Tuesday night.

Staunton was something of a shock choice for the post, given his limited managerial and coaching experience.

Surprise at his elevation from Walsall assistant coach to international manager was tempered by the appointment of Robson in the role of consultant and adviser.

It was hoped that Robson's wealth of experience would compliment Staunton's enthusiasm and stature as the Republic's most capped player.

But a 4-0 friendly defeat by Holland last August set the tone for things to come.

A month later, Staunton was ordered from the touchline during the qualifier against Germany, while a humiliating 5-2 away defeat to Cyprus soon followed.

The Republic could only beat minnows San Marino with a last-minute goal in February as their Euro 2008 qualifying campaign completely fell apart. The Republic are now ranked 32nd in the world, compared to 15th only a few years ago.

Well, who ever takes over will find it hard to follow in the foot steps of Jack Charlton & his squad of plastic paddies.

Well obviously being a northern irish man i have no feelings of empathy with the republic team but certainly i think they should be a better team without SS.That guy was one serious <deleted> talk about someone devoid of a personality

Bloody Mutual consent again.

Bloody Mutual consent again.

Latest buzzword. Just hope the Mrs never uses it on me

Jack Charlton & his squad of plastic paddies.

Same old tired, ignorant mantra by disenchanted English Fans.

Whether Big Jack was a Plastic Englishman or not, when he was adopted by the Country he managed and loved, is neither here nor there, but what might be considered important, is the fact that when he applied for the England Managers job, he didn't even get a reply.

Quality commitment that is, quality!!

It is easy for the Plastic Paddy rhetoric, but it is blind ignorance at minimum and pathetic at best, the whole English sporting establishment uses foreign born players for their teams.

It is called using the rules to try and win, not just turning up.

Good Luck in Russia.

Moss