Ireland split with Staunton

The Football Association of Ireland have agreed to terminate the contract of Steve Staunton as national team manager by mutual consent. The FAI released a statement thanking Staunton and his staff for their efforts since taking the job.

The FAI released a statement thanking Staunton and his staff for their efforts since taking the job. Association president David Blood said: "They have brought through many young players and leave behind a squad with strong development potential.

"As a member of the three-man committee which 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.

"The FAI board will now seek to appoint an outside adviser from within the football industry to assist them in the recruitment of a successor. The board will select people with considerable football experience in the professional game to appoint the new manager."