Townsend tells Irish FA to back Venables

The popular Irish World Cup skipper has held talks with John Delaney of the FAI - and was asked his views on the future of the Irish national team and the candidates to replace Steve Staunton.

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In a meeting in London, he was asked to fill a role as a head-hunter, but has declined. Venables is known to have been keen to have Townsend on board, but that will not happen.

Last Townsend confirmed to Sportsmail: "I had a meeting with John and welcomed the chance to share my views. He asked for my opinion on the candidates being considered and I gave him my opinions on the type of manager we should be looking for. There were a lot of names discussed.

"Because Terry Venables is the favourite and we have worked together before for ITV, people have jumped to conclusions.

"I am very happy doing what I am doing. I just feel that I need to say something, because this story has snowballed."

Speaking about the future, Townsend added: "We need a vastly experienced manager, a very, very experienced man and coach; someone with know-how of the international scene.

"This is not a job now for a young man.

"We have seen with Scotland and Alex McLeish what happens when a manager is successful, he can be lured away to England. We don't want that to happen with the successful Irish candidate. That would not bode well for the future.

"We have seen what has happened with Paul Jewell, who has also been linked with the Ireland post. A job becomes available at Derby and, naturally, he is considered for that post and then is eventually offered the job.

"No, this job should go to a man who has been around the block, someone who the players will respect and who has an understanding of the international game. Someone who is committed to the job and won't leave us half way through the qualifying campaign. If we get off to a good start in the group, then it could really take off again. Just like it did with Scotland, who had a terrific go at qualifying for Euro 2008 and came very close.

"If you look at the type of names being linked to the England job, managers such as Fabio Capello... well, you would think that the English FA have a bigger budget. But they too seem to be looking at an experienced manager with a track record of big competitions.

"Terry Venables fits that criteria and that's all I am prepared to say. The FAI have to make up their own minds on what direction they will take this now. It is their call."

Townsend will instead will continue in his role working for ITV, radio station TalkSport and writing his Champions League column for Sportsmail.