SPORTS MINISTER Mary Hanafin has revealed that she had told FAI Chief John Delaney that he must find a role for goalie great Packie Bonner.
Ms Hanafin said she was ‘extremely disappointed’ at the FAI’s decision to part company with technical director Bonner.
The Donegal man’s contract will not be renewed but Hanafind said: “I think Packie Bonner is a great role model.
“He was not only a wonderful player, but a very supportive, articulate man who was able to bring the sport to young people and children all over the country.
“He is a wonderful role model and I believe the FAI should find a role for him. I have mentioned this to (John Delaney), yes I have.”
Delaney – who is taking a 5% cut to his 400k salary – has said ‘no’ to Minister Hanafin.
“The board made a decision in terms of reducing our cost base for 2011,” he said.
“Everyone would like to keep Packie and the other staff who have left. I would have loved to have kept all the staff, but it wasn’t possible.
“A lot of good people are leaving the association and Packie did very good work for the FAI over the last eight years. That said, we have an international performance director in Wim Koevermans and we have a very good technical team, good unit managers and good development officers in almost every county.”
Mr Delaney will now pocket a 380k salary.
