Steve Staunton

Steve Staunton

Staunton in 2011
Personal information
Full name Stephen Staunton[1]
Date of birth (1969-01-19) 19 January 1969[1]
Place of birth Dundalk, Ireland
Height 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)[1]
Playing position Defender
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1985–1986 Dundalk
1986–1991 Liverpool 65 (0)
1987 → Bradford City (loan) 8 (0)
1991–1998 Aston Villa 208 (16)
1998–2000 Liverpool 44 (0)
2000 → Crystal Palace (loan) 6 (1)
2000–2003 Aston Villa 73 (0)
2003–2005 Coventry City 70 (4)
2005 Walsall 7 (0)
Total 481 (21)
National team
1987–1989 Republic of Ireland U21 4 (0)
1988–2002[2] Republic of Ireland 102 (7)
Teams managed
2006–2007 Republic of Ireland
2009–2010 Darlington

* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only.


Stephen "Steve" Staunton (born 19 January 1969) is an Irish association football manager and former professional footballer who played as a defender. He earned 102 caps for the Republic of Ireland national football team,[3] captained his team to the knock-out stage of the 2002 FIFA World Cup and earned his place in the FIFA Century Club.

Staunton enjoyed a distinguished club career with Aston Villa and Liverpool. After retiring, he served as Republic of Ireland national team coach prior to Giovanni Trapattoni. He also spent five months as manager of Darlington in Football League Two.

Career

Pre-Liverpool

Born in Drogheda, County Louth,[1] Staunton was an accomplished all-round sportsman. He lived in Dundalk County Louth, and attended the De La Salle College Dundalk. As well as playing soccer for his home club of Dundalk, he played Gaelic football, appearing for Louth's U-16 team and winning a Louth Senior Championship medal with Clan na Gael. He also played for the his local team St. Domnics underage.

Liverpool

Staunton was spotted by Liverpool playing in Ireland for his home club of Dundalk as a 17-year-old and was signed on 2 September 1986 by manager Kenny Dalglish for a fee of £20,000.

He spent the first two seasons in the reserves and even went on loan to Bradford City for eight games during the 1987–88 season as cover for the injured Karl Goddard. He made his Liverpool debut on 17 September 1988 in the 1–1 league draw with Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield. As a result of his impressive performance he remained in the side for the rest of the season, despite him being vastly inexperienced compared to the players around him who were defending a League championship title won the year before. Following on from his impressive debut he scored his first goal three days later on 20 September; however, his 80th-minute strike wasn't enough to prevent Arsenal winning the Centenary Trophy semi-final 2–1.

An injury to captain Alan Hansen meant that regular left back Gary Ablett had to be shifted across to the centre of defence. Staunton was therefore given his chance and proved an impressive and consistent performer in a team of strong players, playing his part as Liverpool challenged for the title again.

In the aftermath of the Hillsborough disaster, which claimed the lives of 96 fans at the FA Cup semi-final on 15 April 1989, Staunton was among the players who comforted bereaved families and attended many of the funerals. He also put in an outstanding performance when the fateful FA Cup semi-final was rescheduled a month later, with Liverpool beating Nottingham Forest 3–1.

Staunton played in the FA Cup Final at Wembley – he was substituted at the start of the extra-time period – as Liverpool defeated Merseyside rivals Everton 3–2. However, the season ended with disappointment when Liverpool lost the League title in a decider against Arsenal at Anfield. The Gunners needed to win by two clear goals and were 1–0 up with just seconds remaining. With virtually the last kick of the season Michael Thomas broke through the centre of the Reds defence to score thus stopping Liverpool gaining a second league and FA Cup double – something which no English club had yet achieved.

The following year, Staunton was a frequent presence again as Liverpool reclaimed the League title. His first goals for Liverpool came in remarkable fashion on 4 October 1989 when he came on as a substitute in a League Cup tie against Wigan Athletic and scored a hat-trick.[4] The following season he scored twice more; against Crewe Alexandra in the League Cup[5] and Blackburn Rovers in the FA Cup.[6] However 1990-91 was his final season with Liverpool before being astutely signed up by Aston Villa on 7 August 1991 for £1.1 million. New manager Graeme Souness was accused of misjudging the player's abilities, though the ruling for European ties possibly had a bearing, with Staunton being classed as a foreigner, of which no team was allowed to field more than four; the Bosman ruling (which included the abolishment of quotas for EU citizens on teams in member countries) was not passed until 1995.

Aston Villa

Staunton in 1995.

Staunton made a good impression on the Villa fans by marking his debut on 17 August with a goal in the 3–2 win over Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough. He soon became a regular in Villa's defence, alongside the likes of the legendary Villan Paul McGrath, as they finished seventh during the 1991–92 season. The following year he played an important role in the club's push for the title in the first Premier League season. Villa, in the end, lost out to Manchester United and had to settle for second place.

The following season, he won a League Cup winners medal when he helped a wounded Villa gain revenge on Manchester United by beating them 3–1 (denying them a domestic treble). The League Cup medal completed his domestic medal set. In the 1994–95 season, despite the club's managerial problems, he had a fine season and regularly captained the side. The 1995–96 season was a mixed one for Staunton. He won another League Cup medal, this time as a non-playing substitute in the excellent 3–0 victory over Leeds United, but his playing time was limited due to a number of injuries.

Over the next two seasons he was once again a regular in defence, playing his part in Villa's run to the UEFA Cup quarter finals in 1996–97. He also scored from a corner during his time at Villa. Meanwhile, in the league, he helped a transitional Villa team to a fifth-place finish in 1996–97 and seventh in 1997–98.

Return to Anfield

With his contract set to expire at Villa, he gained a surprise move back to Liverpool on 3 July 1998 when joint managers Roy Evans and Gérard Houllier signed him on a free transfer. On 27 September 1999, during the Merseyside derby against Everton at Anfield, Staunton played the last 15 minutes of the game in goal after Sander Westerveld had been sent off for fighting with Francis Jeffers after Liverpool had used all three substitutes. He scored once in his second spell at Liverpool, his goal coming in a League Cup tie against Hull City in September 1999.[7]

His second spell on Merseyside lasted two years before he was told he could leave on a free transfer. After a brief loan spell at Crystal Palace, where he made six league appearances and scored once against Tranmere Rovers,[8] he was recalled to Anfield to appear in his 148th and last game for the Reds: it came on 23 November 2000 in the 2–2 draw with Greek side Olympiakos in the UEFA Cup.[9]

Return to Villa Park

On 7 December 2000 he did another about-turn and re-joined Aston Villa on another free transfer. He played in 14 of the club's remaining league fixtures and then featured regularly for a further two seasons. He scored once in his second spell at Villa, his goal coming in the Intertoto Cup against FC Zurich.[10]

Coventry City

Staunton continued to play club football, plying his trade with Coventry City, moving there on 15 August 2003 on another free transfer. He made his début on 16 August 2003 in the 0–0 league draw with Walsall at Highfield Road. He remained with the Sky Blues until the summer of 2005, clocking up 75 appearances.

Walsall

Staunton decided not to renew his contract once it had expired, and instead joined Black Country club Walsall on 2 August 2005. He played just 10 times for the Bescot club and also held the post of assistant coach until 16 January 2006, when he was appointed manager of the Republic of Ireland senior international side. He was captain of the Walsall side that defeated Blackpool 2–0 on New Years Eve 2005, in what was his final game as a professional footballer at the end of a 20-year career.

International career

Staunton made his debut for the Republic of Ireland in the 4–0 friendly win over Tunisia. He went to Italy with Jack Charlton's squad as the Republic of Ireland competed in their first ever FIFA World Cup finals. Staunton, the youngest member of the squad, played in every match at left back (though by now at club level he had also proved his usefulness as a central defender or midfield player) as the Republic of Ireland progressed to the quarter finals, when they were beaten by the host nation.

He also represented the Republic of Ireland at FIFA World Cup 1994 in the United States. Again, he played in each game as the Republic of Ireland succumbed in the second round to the Netherlands.

The Republic of Ireland failed to qualify for both Euro 96 in England and the 1998 World Cup in France, though Staunton was still selected regularly for the team.

The Republic of Ireland qualified for the 2002 World Cup held in Japan and South Korea. Coach Mick McCarthy, who had been Staunton's captain at the country's first World Cup 12 years earlier, selected him for the squad and following the departure of Roy Keane from the squad.

Again, Staunton played in every Republic of Ireland game of the tournament, with the 1–1 group match draw against Germany on 5 June proving to be a very special and historic occasion as he became the first Irishman to make 100 appearances for his country. Together with Gary Breen, he formed an impressive central defensive partnership in front of Shay Given. Staunton was the first footballer to have reached a century of caps for the Republic of Ireland national team, and as of the end of Ireland's qualifying campaign for the 2010 FIFA World Cup he was still the joint record holder with former teammates Shay Given and Kevin Kilbane, though both players (along with Robbie Keane) have since emulated Staunton's appearance record.

Ireland's competition ended once more in the second round when they lost agonizingly to Spain in a penalty shoot-out after the game had finished 1–1. Staunton announced his retirement from international football immediately afterwards after setting a national record of 102 appearances. He is the only player to have played in every single one of Ireland's 13 World Cup finals games.

On two occasions he scored directly from corner-kicks. The first of which came in a 2–0 victory over Portugal on 7 June 1992, during a US Cup game in Boston and the second came in a 3–0 defeat of Northern Ireland on 31 March 1993 during a World Cup qualifier in Dublin.

Managerial career

Republic of Ireland

Following the Republic of Ireland's failure to reach the 2006 FIFA World Cup, the tenure of manager Brian Kerr came to an end. A three-man Football Association of Ireland (FAI) subcommittee spearheaded by its former treasurer John Delaney was formed with the remit of appointing a capable successor to Kerr. Delaney assured the Irish public that a "world class" management team[11] would be appointed to oversee Ireland's qualification campaign for the 2008 European Championship. After an initial flurry of rumours linking names of the calibre of Alex Ferguson,[12] Terry Venables[13] and Bobby Robson[14] with the post, Staunton was released from his player/assistant manager role for Walsall on 12 January 2006 and was officially named as Kerr's replacement the following day, with former England manager Sir Bobby Robson supporting him in the role of International Consultant and with former Aston Villa teammate Kevin MacDonald as coach.[15] Staunton was something of a shock appointment given the names that had been circulated and his own limited coaching and managerial experience.[16] In the first of a series of public relations mistakes, a press conference that would ultimately be lampooned by the Irish public[17] saw Staunton proclaim himself "the Gaffer" (in a thick Louth accent) – a nickname which has now stuck.

"I know that the calibre of the team I have will bring a huge range of experience and talent to the challenges that lie ahead ... I'm the boss. I'm the gaffer. At the end of the day what I say goes, the buck stops with me ..."

 — Staunton upon his appointment as Republic of Ireland manager.[18]

His international management career enjoyed a dream start, something Staunton called "a bit of a fairytale", when he led Ireland to an impressive 3–0 victory over Sweden on 1 March 2006 with Damien Duff, Robbie Keane (captaining the Republic of Ireland for the first time) and Liam Miller getting onto the score sheet. Staunton's honeymoon period did not last long, however. The victory over Sweden was followed by two friendly defeats, the first a dour and disappointing 1–0 loss against Chile on 23 May 2006 and then a demoralising 4–0 thrashing by Holland at Lansdowne Road, Ireland's worst home reverse in 40 years.

Prior to the Holland game, Staunton was confronted and threatened by a man outside the team hotel on Monday 14 August with a gun that turned out to be an imitation Uzi machine gun.[19] The 31-year-old assailant was arrested at a nearby beach and released by police the following day. No physical harm was caused but the event was a public relations disaster for both Staunton and the FAI (this was not the first time an assailant had attacked members of the squad at that particular hotel).[20] Shortly after this incident further embarrassment was caused by the revelation that the FAI had sent news of Ireland midfielder Andy Reid's recall to the national side to the player's former club Tottenham despite the fact that he was now a Charlton player.[21]

It was against this backdrop that Staunton oversaw his first competitive match in charge as Republic of Ireland manager; a 1–0 defeat against Germany in Stuttgart, Ireland losing despite a battling performance. Staunton himself was sent off by the referee for kicking a water bottle onto the pitch in frustration during the second half. Worse was swiftly to follow. On 7 October 2006, in their second Euro 2008 qualifier, Ireland suffered a crushing demoralising 5–2 defeat by lowly Cyprus in Nicosia. Staunton was watching from the stands, having been given a touchline ban for his sending-off in Germany. The defeat by Cyprus heaped additional pressure on the already beleaguered Staunton, who even at this early stage of his leadership was already facing calls for his resignation,[22] ahead of Ireland's next game which was at home to the Czech Republic on 11 October. The FAI, when pressed on the matter, refused to deny that a poor result would result in the manager's immediate dismissal.[23] An improved performance against the Czechs resulted in a 1–1 draw, a result that eased the pressure on Staunton to some extent.

Staunton was seen to be emotional after the 5–0 victory over San Marino; it was to be the last match to be played on the old Lansdowne Road pitch. In the return fixture, a poor performance ensured the team needed a goal from Stephen Ireland four minutes into injury time to secure the three points with a final score of 2–1. Coming so close to dropping points against a team ranked 195th in the world at the time of the match immediately sparked further calls for the manager's resignation.[24]

Ireland returned to form with two successive 1–0 home victories over Wales and Slovakia which brought them close to contention for second place in Group D of the UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying groups. Such was the surprise that greeted the results that RTÉ presenter Bill O'Herlihy concluded the coverage of the Slovakia game with the comment, "Ireland are now in contention for qualification for Euro 2008. Who would have thought it?" The upswing in form continued on 22 August 2007 with a 4–0 win in a non-competitive match against Denmark in Aarhus. Staunton was delighted with the results[25] and headed into the next set of fixtures with Ireland placed third in the qualifying group.

The victories, however, proved to be something of a false dawn as, over the space of five days in September, an injury-hit Ireland dropped five points from two games and saw their qualifying campaign effectively come to an end. Leading 2–1 away to Slovakia the team would emerge with just one point after an injury-time strike from Marek Cech cancelled their advantage. Staunton was disappointed by the performance but four days later, on 12 September, a 1–0 defeat to the Czech Republic in Prague crippled the qualifying campaign. A 0–0 draw with Germany on 13 October at Croke Park and a 1–1 draw at home to Cyprus in the same stadium four days later (during which a chorus of boos greeted the final whistle)[26] secured qualification for both Germany and the Czech Republic. Ireland would not be competing in the 2008 European Championship.

Amid the fans' dissatisfaction, many pundits commented that Staunton was now effectively on borrowed time[16] and the FAI announced that an emergency meeting was to be called to discuss Staunton's position on 23 October.[27] Prior to this, John Delaney gave an interview to RTÉ where he refused to publicly back the beleaguered manager and attempted to extricate himself from any responsibility for his role in Staunton's initial appointment.[28] Staunton, for his part, refused to resign and publicly stated that he intended to see out the remainder of his four-year contract.[26]

On the evening of 23 October 2007, after initially indicating to reporters that the FAI meeting would take place in Dublin's Crown Plaza Hotel, where two executive rooms had been hired for use by the FAI, it emerged that Staunton had met the FAI in secret in the Radisson Hotel at Dublin airport where he made his case to be retained in the job. The FAI subsequently met in private discussion for six hours[29] after which it was confirmed that Staunton's turbulent 21-month reign as international manager had come to an end.[30] He was replaced by Don Givens who temporarily took charge of the national team until Giovanni Trapattoni's appointment as manager.

Leeds United

On 4 February 2008, Staunton joined up with recently appointed Leeds United manager Gary McAllister for a training session, with a view to becoming McAllister's assistant manager at the club. He was given the post later that day.[31] In his first month at Leeds, the club did not win a game, until a 1–0 victory on 1 March against Swindon Town. When McAllister was sacked by Leeds United in December 2008 after five consecutive defeats, Staunton also left the club.[32]

Darlington

Staunton was appointed as a scout at Wolverhampton Wanderers under manager Mick McCarthy. In May 2009, it was reported that he had applied for the then vacant manager's seat at Port Vale. On 5 October 2009, he was announced as Darlington manager, to take over officially two days later following a Football League Trophy game against his previous club Leeds United. His contract was initially to take him to the end of the season, with Kevin Richardson appointed as his assistant manager.[33][34] Staunton lost his first game in charge, 2–0 to Dagenham & Redbridge.[35] On 21 March 2010, with Darlington bottom of the league and facing relegation to the Football Conference, Staunton was sacked as the Darlington manager.[36] He had won just four games from his 23 league matches in charge, although his sacking was also put down to a record low crowd for a league game at the Darlington Arena of 1,463 against Barnet in Staunton's final match in charge.[37]

Middlesbrough

Staunton was appointed as a scout at Middlesbrough on 15 March 2011.

Sunderland

Staunton was then handed a job as a scout at Sunderland on 22 August 2011.[38] The cull of backroom staff at Sunderland shows no sign of slowing down with Steve Staunton the latest to leave the Stadium of Light.[39]

Honours

Honours

Liverpool
Aston Villa

Career statistics

Club

Club performance League Cup League Cup Continental Other[40] Total
Season Club League Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
England League FA Cup League Cup Europe Other Total
1987–88 Liverpool First Division 000000 00
Bradford City (loan) Second Division 80002010110
1988–89 Liverpool First Division 210304010290
1989–90 2006023 283
1990–91 2407121332
1991–92 Aston Villa 374----374
1992–93 Premier League 422----422
1993–94 243------243
1994–95 355------355
1995–96 130------130
1996–97 301------301
1997–98 271410080392
1998–99 Liverpool 310102060400
1999–2000 1201031--161
2000–01 10 001020
Crystal Palace (loan) First Division 61-- 61
Aston Villa Premier League 14030--170
2001–02 330102020380
2002–03 260003031321
2003–04 Coventry City First Division 3532010 383
2004–05 Championship 3511010371
2005–06 Walsall League One 70200010100
Career totals 481213122252013055729

International

Republic of Ireland national team
YearAppsGoals
198820
198960
1990131
199170
199281
199373
1994110
199571
199630
199790
199840
199951
200041
200180
200280
Total1028

Managerial

Team Nat From To Record
GWDLWin %
Republic of Ireland Republic of Ireland January 2006 October 2007 17 6 6 5 35.29
Darlington England October 2009 March 2010 25 4 2 19 16.00
Total 42 10 8 24 23.81

Accolades

Sporting positions
Preceded by
Roy Keane		 Republic of Ireland Captain
2002 		Succeeded by
Kenny Cunningham
Preceded by
Paul Merson		 Aston Villa Captain
2001–2003 		Succeeded by
Olaf Mellberg

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2006). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2006–07. Mainstream Publishing. p. 387. ISBN 978-1-84596-111-4.
  2. ↑ "Stephen Staunton - Century of International Appearances". The Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation.
  3. ↑ "Ireland's International Players". FAI. 17 February 2010. Retrieved 17 February 2010.
  4. ↑ "Wigan Athletic 0 - 3 Liverpool". lfchistory.net. Retrieved 25 November 2016.
  5. ↑ "Crewe Alexandra 1 - 4 Liverpool". lfchistory.net. Retrieved 25 November 2016.
  6. ↑ "Liverpool 3 - 0 Blackburn Rovers". lfchistory.net. Retrieved 25 November 2016.
  7. ↑ Turnbull, Simon (14 September 1999). "Boothferry no barrier for Murphy and Meijer". London: The Independent. Retrieved 13 November 2009.
  8. ↑ "Crystal Palace 3–2 Tranmere". BBC. 18 November 2000. Retrieved 13 November 2009.
  9. ↑ "Liverpool suffer late setback". BBC. 23 November 2000. Retrieved 27 May 2010.
  10. ↑ "Villa revive Euro dream". BBC. 27 July 2002. Retrieved 13 November 2009.
  11. ↑ "Steve Staunton – Trial by media and/or a shambolic PR performance by the FAI". Piaras Kelly. 22 October 2007. Retrieved 6 October 2009.
  12. ↑ "Ferguson denial over Republic job". BBC Sport. 17 October 2005. Retrieved 6 October 2009.
  13. ↑ "Venables interested in Irish post". BBC Sport. 15 November 2005. Retrieved 6 October 2009.
  14. ↑ "Robson plays down Republic link". BBC Sport. 16 October 2005. Retrieved 6 October 2009.
  15. ↑ "Republic appoint Staunton as boss". BBC Sport. 13 January 2006. Retrieved 6 October 2009.
  16. 1 2 Petrie, Richard (24 October 2007). "Staunton pays price for Euro failure". BBC Sport. Retrieved 6 October 2009.
  17. ↑ YouTube. 23 October 2007.
  18. ↑ "Staunton insists: "I'm the boss!"". RTÉ News. 16 January 2006.
  19. ↑ "Staunton unharmed after gun scare". BBC News. 15 August 2006. Retrieved 6 October 2009.
  20. ↑ "Man freed in Staunton gun probe". BBC News. 16 August 2006. Retrieved 6 October 2009.
  21. ↑ "Reid's Ireland recall sent to former club". The Guardian. 2 October 2006. Retrieved 17 November 2015.
  22. ↑ "Why Stan must go". The Guardian. 9 October 2006. Retrieved 18 November 2015.
  23. ↑ "Staunton one game from sack". The Guardian. 11 October 2006. Retrieved 18 November 2015.
  24. ↑ "European Championship Qualifier: San Marino 1 – 2 Ireland". Guardian News Media. 2 July 2007. Retrieved 10 February 2011.
  25. ↑ "Staunton thrilled by Republic win". BBC Sport. 28 March 2007. Retrieved 6 October 2009.
  26. 1 2 "Defiant Staunton vows to stay on". BBC Sport. 17 October 2007. Retrieved 6 October 2009.
  27. ↑ "FAI meeting set for Tuesday – reports". eleven-a-side.com. 21 October 2007. Retrieved 6 October 2009.
  28. ↑ "FAI refuse to give Staunton backing". RTÉ Sport. 19 October 2007. Retrieved 6 October 2009.
  29. ↑ "Staunton departs after long night of intrigue". The Irish Times. 24 October 2007. Retrieved 20 November 2015.
  30. ↑ "FAI to seek advice in Staunton successor search". Irish Examiner. 24 October 2007. Retrieved 6 October 2009.
  31. ↑ "Staunton is named Leeds assistant". BBC Sport. 4 February 2008. Retrieved 2008-02-04.
  32. ↑ "Leeds begin search for new boss". BBC Sport. 22 December 2008. Retrieved 2008-12-22.
  33. ↑ Wilson, Scott (5 October 2009). "Darlington appoint Staunton as manager". The Northern Echo. Retrieved 2009-10-05.
  34. ↑ "Darlington name Staunton as boss". BBC Sport. 5 October 2009. Retrieved 2009-10-05.
  35. ↑ "Dag & Red 2–0 Darlington". BBC Sport. 10 October 2009. Retrieved 2009-10-13.
  36. ↑ "Doomed Darlington sack Steve Staunton after record low crowd at defeat to Barnet". Daily Mail. London. 21 March 2010. Retrieved 2010-03-21.
  37. ↑ "Darlington part company with manager Steve Staunton". BBC Sport. 21 March 2010. Retrieved 2010-03-21.
  38. ↑ http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/14614958
  39. ↑ http://www.rokerreport.com/2013/6/20/4447648/staunton-leaves-sunderland
  40. ↑ Includes FA Charity Shield, Full Members Cup and Centenary Trophy
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