Former Venables colleagues to recruit new Ireland boss
Two former colleagues of Terry Venables will conduct the search for the new Republic of Ireland manager, the Football Association of Ireland have announced.
Four members of the FAI board met veteran coaching duo Don Givens and Don Howe in England today to set out the credentials needed for the job as Steve Staunton's successor and discuss any queries before the pair begin the process.
Givens, 58, is coach of the Irish U-21 side, current caretaker boss of the senior team and a former QPR teammate of Venables, while Howe, 72, is a former coach with experience of international football having worked under Venables with England.
FAI chief executive John Delaney said after the meeting: "Over the past month we laid the groundwork for the next stage in the process.
"We have finalised the terms of reference, the criteria and financial package. The process has now been handed over to the panel."
The FAI board have given Howe and Givens the option of bringing in extra help if they so choose while a statement on the official website, fai.ie, said: "All relevant information in relation to the process to date has been passed on to the panel for their consideration.
"The panel will now take over the recruitment process and their first task will be to draw up a list of the candidates they wish to interview.
"When they have completed their work they will return to the board with a recommendation."
Association president David Blood was happy with the progress made so far.
"We are delighted that we have found two extremely credible football men known throughout the game for their honesty and integrity.
"They will leave no stone unturned in their efforts to ensure that we get the best person for the job," he said.
Givens was in charge of the recent Euro 2008 qualifier against Wales following Staunton's failure to secure qualification for the tournament next summer and his subsequent exit. And the caretaker boss believes he is the right man to head the search alongside Howe.
"I am delighted to be of help to the association," he said.
"I feel I have a good knowledge of what the job entails having worked with the three previous senior team managers and having been in charge of the current squad for the recent game against Wales."
Howe, a former England player and league and cup double winner as Arsenal's first-team coach in 1971, added: "I am honoured to have been asked by the FAI to assist in the selection of their next international team manager and I am looking forward to working alongside Don Givens."
