Prank almost puts Stan in line for Chelsea job
A PRANK phone call briefly put Steve Staunton in contention for the vacant manager's job at Chelsea.
Pretending to be the former Ireland boss (whose nickname is Stan) Dublin radio station FM104 phoned Chelsea director Peter Kenyon, asking about the position.
The fake Staunton expressed his interest in the job, saying: "I am a former Republic of Ireland manager." Mr Kenyon replied: "I am more than happy to put your name in the hat, Steve. Confidentially of course."
'Stan' then asked the former Manchester United CEO what kind of salary he could expect.
Figures
"I was on about 400k with Ireland. What kind of figures would I be looking at with you?" the prankster asked.
"It would be considerably more than that," Mr Kenyon answered.
However, the game was up when the FM104's Strawberry Alarm Clock asked: "If I get the job, would I be getting me own tracksuit and all the gear with my name on it?"
Mr Kenyon then replied: "I think this is a wind-up."
The Chelsea job became vacant when Brazilian Luiz Felipe Scolari was sacked by owner Roman Abramovich.
Russia coach Guus Hiddink has since been appointed manager until the end of the season as Chelsea look to win the Champions League and the English Premier League.
comurphy@herald.ie
- Cormac Murphy
