Steve Staunton: 'Republic of Ireland manager should be Irish'

Former Republic of Ireland manager Steve Staunton has claimed that the new coach should be an Irishman following the departure of Giovanni Trapattoni.

The 74-year-old Italian, who took charge in 2008, left his post by mutual consent on Wednesday morning.

"I would like to see an Irishman get it or somebody who's from these islands, who knows what the Irish boys are about and knows the mentality," Staunton told Sky Sports News. "The [Football Association of Ireland] has a tough job now."

Staunton took charge of Ireland in early 2006 before being dismissed at the end of 2007.