FAI chief executive John Delaney will play no part in appointinga successor to Steve Staunton who was relieved of his duties asRepublic of Ireland manager early this morning.

Delaney led a three-man FAI sub committee charged with finding asuccessor to former manager Brian Kerr and was the key player inStaunton's appointment 21 months ago.

But following last week's 1-1 home draw with Cyprus, Delaneydistanced himself from that appointment. It was a move that drewcriticism from many quarters.

Steve Staunton and his assistant, Kevin McDonald, leaving thepitch after Ireland's draw with Cyprus earlier this month.

Staunton was furious with Delaney and on Monday told hisbackroom team that he no longer felt he had his employer'ssupport.

Still, he was determined so see out the two remaining years ofhis contract. But that will not happen following a long night ofintrigue in the capital.

"I accept the majority of the responsibility for my part in theappointment," Delaney told a press conference in the earlyhours.

"The decision was made in good faith and we had a four year planbut the results have made it impossible to continue with that.

"I'm disappointed for Stephen and his family, (coach) KevinMacDonald, (goalkeeping coach) Alan Kelly, the fans and thefootball community. We did have a four year plan and there wereassurances given to Stephen Staunton but because of recent resultsand performances we've been forced to change."

Delaney said he welcomed the procedures now in place to appointpeople with "considerable football experience in the professionalgame" to unearth the next manager.

Crucially, though, Delaney stressed he would play no part in theselection.

"I will not have a direct role in relation to the appointment,"said the chief executive who stressed that his role was one of anadministrator.
 
"We will let football professionals go and deal with theappointment of our next manager."

In the meantime, under-21 manager Don Givens will take charge ofthe senior team for their final Group D European qualifier againstWales in Cardiff next month.

He acted as caretaker five years ago for a game in Greece priorto Kerr's appointment but is not likely to receive the jobfull-time.

His under-21 team have a European qualifier of their own inMontenegro on November 16th, the night before the Cardiff game, buthe will not oversee that game.

That responsibility will be entrusted elsewhere, perhaps toIreland 'B' manager Pat Devlin who retains his role in the Irishset-up.

Bobby Robson is set to stay on as International FootballConsultant, but that role will come to an end after the Wales gamenext month.

Staunton was sacrificed following a string of sub-par resultsand performances during the Euro 2008 qualifying campaign.

Officially the 38-year-old and the association agreed to part by"mutual consent" but there is no hiding from the fact Staunton wasrelieved of his post

FAI President David Blood thanked Staunton and his managementteam for their "dedication and commitment" to the seniorinternational team since their appointment in January 2006.

"They have brought through many young players and leave behind asquad with strong development potential," said Blood. "As a memberof the three man committee which made the recommendation to appointStephen and his team, I am disappointed that things have not workedout the way I, Stephen or my colleagues on the Board expected."

When the FAI's Board of Management met with Staunton last nightit was away from the hotel at which journalists had gathered.

Reporters concluded the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Santry, Dublinwould host the board meeting, but instead the 10-man committee metthe manager at Dublin Airport's Radisson Hotel.

An FAI official had reserved two conference rooms at the CrownePlaza but by teatime Staunton and his employers had failed to show.FAI security officials were, however, present at the Santryhotel.

Staunton flew in from Birmingham to attend the Radisson meetingin person and it is said to have lasted half an hour. The FAI boardthen reconvened to another, unknown location - without Staunton -and the 10 members of the committee discussed the manager's fatefor approximately six hours.

The length of that meeting would suggest some board membersfought Staunton's case although Delaney attempted to play thisdown.

He said discussions were always amicable and that a range oftopics were discussed, not just Staunton's position.

Staunton's predecessor, Brian Kerr, was not afforded the luxuryof putting his case to his employers when he lost his job two yearsago and is critical of the FAI's role in this latest episode.

"They do their business in mysterious ways, it's smoke andmirrors stuff and it's hard to give them any credit," he toldNewstalk.

"They have been found out big time on this one. There are two orthree decent ones in there but the majority of them you wouldn'tallow to mind your corner shop for 10 minutes.

"They are regularly making the vital decisions with regard toIrish football and to our international teams and underage teams. Ithink it's kind of sad considering their lack of real knowledge ofthe game."

Staunton won just six of his 17 games in charge. Two of thosevictories came against lowly San Marino and another two came infriendly games against Sweden and Denmark.

At times the manager was without injured key players yet histactical naivety was repeatedly exposed. Baffling team selectionsand bizarre mid-game decision-making has formed his legacy.

But it was last week's disastrous home draw with Cyprus thathammered the final nail in Staunton's coffin. The 5-2 defeat inNicosia last year followed by the narrow 2-1 win in San Marinoearlier this ensured the manager was living on borrowed time.

Staunton has joined forces with Michael Kennedy, the solicitorwho acts for Roy Keane, and the opening of talks over severanceterms was discussed last night.

It is expected the 38-year-old will receive a bumper payment ofover €800,000 while his backroom team will also receive aseverance package.

It is unknown whether Staunton was made sign a confidentialityagreement but the manager is seething over the lack of supportafforded to him and could not be blamed if deciding to forgo aslice of the severance money in order to vent his spleen.

Staunton made no comment on the matter last night and it remainsto be seen where he goes from here.

He may find it difficult to land another managerial role in thenear future but Delaney said Staunton will find "opportunities intime".

"It's a question for Stephen what he wants to do going forwardin life," said Delaney.

"I know he's doing his Uefa A badges and intends finishing offhis pro-licence after that. He's a young man, younger than I am.And I'm sure if he wants to stay in football he will findopportunities in time."