With Heimir Hallgrimsson now at the helm, Republic of Ireland are going through a transitional period in an effort to move themselves back up the pecking order.
Back in 2006, however, a national team legend was being appointed as the new coach with Steve Staunton being handed the reins despite having never previously managed on the club scene.
The former defender was a beneficiary of his 14-year stint as a player, where he featured at three World Cups including 2002 when he was handed the captaincy as Roy Keane's successor.
When replacing Brian Kerr in the dugout at the start of 2006, Staunton was tasked with developing a team that had just missed out on qualification for the World Cup.
However, being involved in a group that included Czech Republic and Germany left Staunton and his squad with an uphill task from the start.
A disastrous 5-2 defeat in Cyprus early in that campaign made it unrealistically possible to finish in the top two without pulling off some surprises, and Staunton's side eventually finished third and 10 points adrift of qualification.
Staunton ultimately departed his role after 17 matches - winning six, drawing six and losing five - and his only other managerial stint would come at Darlington, losing 19 of his 25 games.
To celebrate Staunton's 56th birthday, Sports Mole challenges you to name the seven players who have reached triple figures in a Republic of Ireland shirt.
Darren Plant
