Having enjoyed contrasting fortunes over the past five years, the English and Irish national teams now find themselves in a similar, unsatisfying position. Not so much a crossroads, more of a dead end.

England’s loss of control of their own destiny has been well documented. Likewise Ireland’s Euro 2008 struggles have been hard to avoid such is the ignominy that accompanies a 6-2 aggregate qualifying loss to Cyprus and the earliest pre-tournament elimination in two decades.

If you’re to believe the knee jerk press coverage, blame lies squarely on the shoulders of the two Steves, McClaren and Staunton. The Irish press tore into the beleaguered Drogheda man and the English red tops treated his carrot topped counterpart with similar severity.

Both Martyn Herman on this blog and Ollie Irish at Who Ate All the Pies have stressed that the players should share the blame. But what about those sitting in the fancy seats behind the dug outs at the new Wembley and in the premium level at Croke Park?

Ultimately it’s the F.A. and F.A.I. who are responsible for hiring the coaches they hired. A revered player, Staunton’s only coaching experience was as assistant at lowly Walsall. McClaren’s only previous managerial post brought mixed success to Middlesbrough.

The English manager has received a vote of confidence. Ireland’s self styled ‘gaffer’ has not. Yet those who made the initial appointments are answerable to no one. Shouldn’t those seeking explanations be asking questions of Brian Barwick in London and John Delaney in Dublin?

And so read the most arresting headline of the day post-Cyprus back home. The Irish Times lead bluntly, “Enough. Enough. Bring us the head of John Delaney.”

PHOTO: Ireland’s Robbie Keane reacts during their Euro 2008 Group D qualifying soccer match against Cyprus at Croke Park, October 17, 2007. REUTERS/Patrick Bolger