Source: Northern_Echo
Staunton hopes for double celebration
STEVE STAUNTON today begins his career in club management with Darlington on the same day the Republic of Ireland can qualify for the World Cup finals. The timing could not be more ironic.[LNB] Almost two years ago, as Republic of Ireland boss, he was preparing his side to face Germany in a European Championship qualifier that proved to be the penultimate game of his tenure.[LNB] Staunton vacated the post soon afterwards as Ireland failed to qualify and he bore the brunt of the blame, hounded out by the Press after just 21 months in charge.[LNB] Two years on and a trip to Dagenham & Redbridge represents the beginning of Stauntons first steps in club management on the same day that an Ireland win over Italy would take them to next years World Cup finals.[LNB] But Staunton is adamant he has nothing to prove, despite a comparatively short time in charge of his country, during which he took charge of 17 games, winning six and losing five.[LNB] This is my first taste of league management with my own club and thats why Im over here, said Staunton, who was made Ireland manager at the age of 37 and remains his countrys record cap holder with 102.[LNB] Footballs in my blood and Ive always wanted to go into management.[LNB] The Ireland job probably came too early in my career but I couldnt turn it down, managing my country. I gave it a good go, we were unlucky, but its gone now.[LNB] International football is totally different. Youre basically baby-sitting the players for a couple of days, youre keeping them happy and making sure theres a feel-good factor for them to go out and perform.[LNB] You cant teach them anything, and if you could then they shouldnt be on that stage in the first place.[LNB] Youre giving them a little bit of tactical awareness about the opposition but in the end its down to the players who cross that white line.[LNB] In club football youre with the players day to day, youre getting into players heads.[LNB] When he was appointed Republic boss, in early 2006, Staunton signed a four-year contract which, had it run its course, would have seen him in the dug-out this evening at the 82,000-capacity Croke Park, pitting his wits against the coach of the World Cup holders, Marcello Lippi.[LNB] Instead he will this afternoon be at the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham Stadium, home to third-placed Daggers.[LNB] But he admits to being impressed by Quakers The Northern Echo Arena, saying: I was shocked at how lovely and well done the boardroom is![LNB] Its fantastic and it would be lovely to get a lot of people in this stadium. Darlington should be very proud to have a stadium like this, I know a lot of clubs would love to have it.[LNB] It has been a football town and it would be nice to get the club into the community and get things going that way, building up relations with everybody within the town, and the easiest way to do that is win games.[LNB] Raj Singhs decision to appoint Staunton brought to an end a difficult period for the 40-year-old, who had previously applied for vacancies at Motherwell, Rotherham, Lincoln and Port Vale.[LNB] He admits to worrying whether he would ever be handed another opportunity, but dismisses the notion that he is not fully versed on the rigours of League Two.[LNB] You think the offer might not come, people might say you dont know this division, and thats the consensus within a lot of clubs, he conceded.[LNB] That might be some peoples opinion. You only have to watch the league for a few weeks and you know what its all about. Its not rocket science.[LNB] With Darlington bottom of the table and without a win, knowledge of any players available could prove crucial .[LNB] The arrival on Thursday of Noel Whelan proved hes utilising his contacts and he moved quickly to recruit 18- year-old Everton defender Moses Barnett yesterday after Liverpools Robbie Thelfall pulled out of a proposed switch. I dont want players who dont want to be here, were delighted Moses was available. Were looking at players from Premier League clubs so hopefully this is a positive sign, said the boss.[LNB] Both new faces are in todays squad at Dagenham, where Staunton hopes for the days first reason to celebrate.[LNB] An Ireland win would be a second, though the new manager says he is not planning to follow the match this evening.[LNB] No doubt Ill have people texting me and I fully expect not to lose. If Ireland get to the World Cup and Darlington get a win on the way to staying up it will be a double celebration.[LNB]
