Haan applies for Ireland job

Former Dutch international Arie Haan believes he is the man to lead the Republic of Ireland into World Cup 2010 after formally applying to the FAI for the job this morning.

The 59-year-old yesterday confirmed his keen interest in the position that would see him take Ireland into a qualification group for the finals in South Africa against Italy, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Georgia and Montenegro.

Haan's pedigree as a player is unquestionable and he has enjoyed some success as a manager in a 20 year career that saw him manage in Belgium, Holland, China and most recently Cameroon. He left the latter in February this year after serving just six months of a two-year contract, citing interference from the federation's president.

He is a late entrant in the race for the job that former Barcelona and England manager Terry Venables is a hot favourite for, but he feels the squad may need a new direction and that his Dutch tactical acumen coupled with a determined and talented young squad would pay dividends.

"To be a national coach is an interesting job anyway, but when it is a country that can improve I think I could do a lot," Haan told ireland.com  today. "Ireland has its own way of playing and they have spirit which is good, but being from Holland, we have different ideas on tactics and how we can play.

"If we can put the two together I think we can have a good formula.

"There are a lot of good candidates but from my side I can only say that I bring a lot of experience and a lot of success and maybe it's not so bad for Ireland to have a thinking coach.

"One who thinks a little bit differently than they do in England or Ireland because I think if you keep the same mentality not much will change.

"You need coaches or people around you who know what it is to win. Only with this mentality you win and all my life I win much more than I lose."

As a player Haan excelled at Ajax, winning the European Cup in three consecutive years and three Dutch championships before successful spells at Anderlecht and Standard Liege in Belgium.

On the international stage he was a key player in the great 'total football' Dutch sides of 1974 and 1978 that suffered defeat to West Germany and Argentina in consecutive World Cup finals.

His coaching CV has seen some success, mainly in the early years with Anderlecht and Stuttgart, but he is highly thought of in Asia where he brought China to the Asian Cup final, before his short spell with the Cameroon.

Ireland, he feels, have a lot more promise. "There is always future in a team," he says. "In 2002 Ireland were there (the World Cup) and now they have to go back there.  I think they belong there and the young players must be ready for it."

For Haan, the prospect of facing world champions Italy is not as daunting as some may feel and Cyrpus' inclusion is pro rather than con.

"It's a very interesting group.  I think Italy are not always good. In a lot of games they are not there, for whatever reason.

"I think it is good that Cyprus are there because Ireland must show them who is the better team.

"Bulgaria are returning (as a force).  They were a long time away but they were in a group with Holland and lost two times but they didn't play bad.

"So, I think it is an interesting group and to be number one would be fantastic but there is also a possibility to be a very good number two."

Stephen Staunton's reign, he says, was unusual because the side dropped points to the lesser teams. "If you are losing five points to Cyprus its too much, then you have no chance."

The FAI board met last night to discuss terms and conditions for a new manager and the thus far unidentified 'headhunters' will soon meet the Association's 10-man committee to learn what sort of package is on offer to prospective candidates.

In the meantime Andy Townsend, who has already ruled himself out of any coaching role within the new management team, has also turned down an offer to be part of three-man advisory committee.

The former Irish international is due to give his reasons why he denied the FAI's approaches on Setanta Sports tonight during their Champions League coverage.

Last night's FAI statement expressed a desire to have the new manager in place by the Brazil friendly in February, but stressed getting the right man rather than timing is the priority.

"While the Board considers it preferable to have a new manager in place before the February friendly with Brazil it will be emphasised to the recruitment panel that making the best possible appointment is the priority for Irish football," the statement read.