DUBLIN, Ireland (AP) — Ireland manager Steve Staunton was fired Wednesday following his team’s failure to qualify for next year’s European Championship.
The 10-member board of the Football Association of Ireland dumped the 38-year-old from his first coaching job after deliberations that ran past midnight. Ireland is 4-3-4 in Euro qualifying and is assured of finishing behind the Czech Republic and Germany (both 7-1-2) in Group D.
Staunton had seven goals in 102 appearances for Ireland from 1988-2002. He replaced Brian Kerr as Ireland’s manager in January 2006.