Davies set for Irish talks

Former Derby boss lined up to replace Staunton

Last updated: 4th February 2008

Davies set for Irish talks

Davies: Is he going to take Ireland job?

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Sky Sports News understands Billy Davies will hold talks regarding the Republic of Ireland job on Wednesday.

Davies has now emerged as the leading contender to succeed Steve Staunton, who left his post as Ireland coach last autumn.

Terry Venables and Giovanni Trapattoni had earlier been strong candidates for the position, but reports now suggest Davies is the favourite.

The Scot has been out of work since November after leaving the Premier League's bottom club Derby County.

He is currently on holiday, but is tipped to hold talks with the Football Association of Ireland's selection panel later this week.

The three-man panel is chaired by Don Givens, who is currently in caretaker charge of the national team, and also comprises Don Howe and Ray Houghton.

Givens met FAI officials on Sunday evening to provide an update on the selection process and an appointment is expected within 10 days.

Comments (9)

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Mark O'connor (Tottenham Hotspur fan) says...

I don't think hiring Billy Davies would be necessarily a bad option. He has experience dealing with mediocre players and getting the best out of them. He turned a poor Preston teams fortunes around and nearly got them promoted twice. Then went to Derby and helped them to over-achieve. Irish football has hit a recession in the last few years. There's not Duff's or Keane's coming through in the forseeable future. We need somebody who will galvanise a nation and get us going as the cute under-dog with the big following again. I dont think Trappa has the English to do this in the short-term, or Venables has the ability at all, there's no sunny beaches in Ireland pal!

Posted 10:47 5th February 2008

Chris Arkins says...

Billy davis is not the right man for the job.an international manager must have years of experience behind him and at least good knowledge of european football.davis has neither.Venables is the outstanding candidate for the job.He has a wealth of experience and the players would take to him as he is a good man manager with alot of respect within the game.

Posted 06:22 5th February 2008

Adam Jennings (Manchester United fan) says...

Another example of the gross incompetence which exists within the FAI. I think that Davies is a slight step up from Steve Staunton, with success in the Championship as proof of that, and being a young manager can certainly only get better. But we were told to expect a highly experienced candidate to take the position and once again it looks like we'll be disappointed by this sham of an organisation. What gives Ray Houghton or Don Givens the right to interview Terry Venables or Giovanni Trappatoni???

Posted 05:53 5th February 2008

Des B (Liverpool fan) says...

I disagree with comments that he would be a bad appointment and more so that venables would be a good appointment. Venables would see the appointment as a holiday. bring his mates over to ireland and have a good time drinking our beer. he is a chancer and i dont think he would respect our national team. Im suprised no support has been given to davies as manager, we wont get a top manager. If we are realistic we need a manger who can manage average players while getting the best out of them. he must be well organised and have a simple football philosophy. davies did this at derby last season, over performed and suffered this year as a result. he had no finances and a poor squad so anyone who suggests he is poor because of derbys curent position knows little about football. he isnt a miracle worker he is a percentage manager who gets the most out of what he has. should suit us down to the ground. Trappa is an interesting choice, he has seen and done it all, pretty old now, not used to our culture or limited squad but has serious pedigree. once we keep venables out im happy, hes a complete cowboy!!!!!!

Posted 03:39 5th February 2008

Keith Manley (Newcastle United fan) says...

I dont think Davies will do well as Irish manager, not enough experience with big players, i think that Sam should be still in the running as he is the right man for the job if not Venables would be a great replacment as he has been there before! its about time the FAI get their act together and give us a manager that we deserve!

Posted 01:36 5th February 2008

Ken Lawlor (Manchester United fan) says...

Before Staunton got the job the FAI promised a "world class manager" and look what we anded up with. This time the FAI have appointed the 3 wise men. There wise allright - there trying to pull the wool over everybody's eyes. These are the men who the FAI can turn to and blame for the up coming disaster of a campaign we will have if Davies gets offered the job. Nothing against Davies, If someone offered me a million to do a job I'd take it as well. Stan did... (If there are anybody else out there that would like to take the FAI for a ride - Go a head, they welcome all applicants). For god sake.. Its about time that the FAI grew up and listened to what the people want and what they had previously promised.. A "world class manager". Sorry Billy Davies, But if you get the job or some other manager with no experience of International football, I'll totally give up watching our national team, going to matches and even on the box...

Posted 23:58 4th February 2008

Ryan Newell (Gillingham fan) says...

Please not Davies. If we appoint him we end up ranked lower than Andora in the Fifa rankings

Posted 23:33 4th February 2008

Ryan O'donohue (Aston Villa fan) says...

If the FAI make this appointment I will personally give up hope! How ever would he better than staunton?? We need a motivator with experience and Trapattoni or Venables would be that manager. Please please please dont appoint Davies

Posted 22:48 4th February 2008

Daniel Robinson (Derby County fan) says...

I think it will be great for Billy after he had left Derby, i wish him best of luck if he gets the job. He will be well suited for the job

Posted 21:52 4th February 2008
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