Vox pop:  After a three month search that saw the bookmakers call the tune more than anyone else, it has emerged that Ireland's most capped player, Steve Staunton (36), is the most likely successor to Brian Kerr.

The former Liverpool and Aston Villa defender is currently assistant to Paul Merson at Walsall but has no direct managerial experience.  Ex-England and Newcastle manager Bobby Robson (72) is, however, expected to join him in an advisory role.

Has the FAI got it right?  Is this the team to bring Ireland forward and is Staunton the "top class manager" FAI chief executive John Delaney set out to find?  Paul O'Hehir took to the streets of Dublin to get the fans' view.

Mark Henry, Dublin:  Giving Staunton the job on his own would be the worst possible appointment out of all available candidates.  He is only understudy at Walsall and has no managerial experience.  It would be a disastrous move.

The picture changes somewhat, though, if Robson comes on board.  He has the calibre, the pedigree and knows international football.  Age is a factor but not so much as he’s not getting the job on his own.

If it was up to me I'd wait until after the World Cup.  Plenty of top quality managers could become available then.  Although the Euro 2008 qualifying campaign is around the corner, I think it would pay to wait.  We've only a couple of meaningless friendlies in the meantime. There's no point rushing an appointment.

The FAI are not pushing the boat out on this one - take Australia for instance.  They're not as high profile a footballing nation as we are but yet they still can get a manager of Gus Hiddink's quality.

Amanda Vaughan, Dublin:  I think Stanunton and Robson would do a fine job.  If Stan can transform his on-field leadership qualities to the touchline then it should make for a bright future.  Yes he's inexperienced but often a fresh, raw talent can obtain the best results.

Bobby Robson is too old to take the job on his own but canny enough to lend an ear and if this partnership goes ahead then the FAI have done right.  At 72, Robson is too old to single handily deal with players, press etc.

I think Brian Kerr should still be in charge however.  He had relatively little experience at the top of the game but got some fine results.  Staunton just needs to hit the ground running.  Best of luck to him, he'll do great.

Paul McClatchie, Waterford:  Although Staunton would command huge respect from the players I think the FAI are aiming too low if they appoint him.  If Ireland want to aim for the top they must go for a top manager.  I'm aware it's not the easiest job in world football to market as we just don't have the player pool but surely we can pull a higher calibre manager.  No disrespect to Staunton, who was a colossus as a player and captain, but his lack of managerial experience is, of course, worrying.

I wonder how he'll work in tandem with Robson.  Robson is a well respected figure but is bloody old, properly, properly old.  I'd worry if he still had the ability to get the best out of players and, indeed, how fresh for the challenge he is.

It was a brave move giving Brian Kerr his shot but by now the FAI should have learned their lesson.  We're aiming too low with this one.

John Collins, Dublin:  I think the Robson side of the deal is a good one, although he probably wont have a clue who some of the players are, especially the emerging younger ones.

With regards Staunton, well at least he's Irish which I feel is very important.  I don’t see it as a step up from Brian Kerr though.  Indeed, why bother get rid of Kerr if only to bring in Staunton.  It doesn't show much ambition on the association's behalf. In hindsight, it would be great to roll back the clock and still have Kerr running the show.

Darragh Murphy, Wexford:  I think the fans deserve better than this.  If Staunton wants to go on a crash course in Bobby Robson's so-called management school of excellence then he'd be better off doing it on his own time and not at the expense of the Irish national team.

I appreciate the association first pursued other alternatives and I know the money available is far from staggering but for what is on offer we could have done better.

I see this as a travesty for Irish football.  Throwing these two together smacks of desperation.  Staunton should be left to cut his teeth with Walsall or other such clubs for another 10 years and only then be considered for the top job.

The FAI should appoint Kevin Keegan.  Ireland teams have traditionally played with tremendous heart and self belief and that's what Keegan is all about.

Russell Hitchley, Carlisle:  Strange appointment if it goes ahead, but I'm an outsider looking in.  As an Englishman I have great admiration for Robson for the job he did with England but I'd have hired him as the number one and not "mentor", "assistant" or whatever he is.

I hope for Ireland's sake Staunton is up to the task as I'd love to see the Irish at a major tournament once again.  He won't find it all smooth running though.  Didn't your media give Brian Kerr a hard time?  I don’t think he had much media training before he took the job. Staunton may be media savvy from his playing days but will find it more difficult on the other side of the fence.  As your previous manager learned, it pays to have a healthy relationship with the press.

Wendy Moore, Drogheda:  Why wouldn't he do a good job? He was a top class player, playing for top clubs and he'll have Bobby there to help him along. There's not much coaching involved anyhow, its all about developing a rapport with the players and I'd say he has their respect as it stands.

Robson knows what he's at too, so that will be good for Staunton. He's been at some of the biggest clubs in the world and had success, and he brought England to a World Cup semi-final. I think it'll work.

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