Steve Staunton will be taking a huge risk by accepting the Republic of Ireland manager's job, according to former teammate Tony Cascarino.
The 36-year-old former Liverpool and Aston Villa defender is expected to be named the Republic's new boss within days, having spent this season as assistant to Paul Merson at Walsall.
Sir Bobby Robson, 72, is being widely tipped to join him in an advisory role, but Cascarino fears for Staunton if results go badly and the team fail to reach any major finals under his charge.
"I just wish this opportunity had come a couple of years later," Cascarino wrote in The Times. "He is a young man and going from assistant at Walsall to manager of his country is a huge step, even if Sir Bobby Robson will be there to help him.
"I can be so hard to recover from setbacks at the start of your managerial career. It is important that the FA of Ireland gives him two qualifying campaigns - European Championships, then World Cup - regardless of how results go in the next two years.
"It would be the easy route to replace him if things wobble, but he needs time to gain experience and grow into the job."
Cascarino also raised doubts over whether Robson, given his age, would prove the right man to provide guidance.
"I agree with the FAI that he needs a wise head by his side," Cascarino declared. "Being old and wise is one thing, but is 72 too old? I would like to see Sir Bobby in an informal, limited role."
Staunton is also likely to be assisted Aston Villa's reserve team manager Kevin MacDonald.
MacDonald is a former Liverpool player who had just won the double when Staunton arrived at Anfield. Early the next season, he suffered a badly broken leg at the Dell and never recovered his first team place at the club. He went on to play for Coventry, before moving into coaching.