Staunton to recruit McDonald and Kelly as coaching staff
Steve Staunton is hoping to recruit Kevin McDonald and Alan Kelly to the Irish backroom staff when he takes over as manager in the coming days.
McDonald, who is currently reserve-team coach at Aston Villa, will take over as head coach, while negotiations are underway for Kelly to replace Pat Bonner as the goalkeeping coach.
Staunton is set to be offered a four-year contract by the FAI, with former England boss Bobby Robson being drafted in for two years as his advisor.
Meanwhile, former Irish international Tony Cascarino has warned his ex-team mate that he will be taking a huge risk by accepting the Irish manager's job.
Writing in the British media today, Cascarino warned that Staunton was letting himself for a major setback in his career if he failed to achieve any success with Ireland.
"He is a young man and going from assistant at Walsall to manager of his country is a huge step, even if Sir Bobby Robson will be there to help him," Cascarino said.
"It can be so hard to recover from setbacks at the start of your managerial career.
"It is important that the FA of Ireland gives him two qualifying campaigns - European Championships then World Cup - regardless of how results go in the next two years."
