Troussier claims FAI approach for Irish hot seat

PHILIPPE TROUSSIER yesterday claimed he had been approached by the Republic of Ireland to succeed Mick McCarthy as coach.

But the Frenchman, who led Japan at the World Cup finals, insisted he will not rush into making a decision.

"I have been approached by five or six national teams and Ireland is one of them," Troussier said.''

Troussier recently had surgery for a knee problem and is currently receiving physiotherapy in Biarritz, France.

"I want to focus on my rehabilitation and forget about football for now. After Japan, I think I should be careful about selecting the team I manage.

"When I finish my treatment in France, I will go back to my house in Morocco and should come to a decision in January."

Troussier began his international managerial career in Africa. He managed the Ivory Coast, Nigeria, who he guided to World Cup qualification in 1994, and Burkina Faso. Troussier led South Africa at the 1998 World Cup finals in France.

However, FAI spokesman Brendan McKenna yesterday denied Troussier had been approached about the job.

Meanwhile, Aston Villa skipper Steve Staunton wants to become Republic of Ireland boss but not yet. Staunton plans to take a coaching qualification at the end of this season and then progress from there.

"I don't know what the FAI are looking for, if I did I'd be down the bookies. It's not on my agenda and it would be hypothetical to suggest they'd phone me," said Staunton, 33.

"I would like one day to manage my country, of course, but I've got a lot of learning to do. When I see what happens in football, it's a bit of a crazy world but I'm sure one day I would like to give management a shot."

Before that Staunton is concentrating on securing his future at Villa.

"No matter what age I am, I know what I can offer. And I think that's been proved over the last year or two since I've come back," he said.

"I can't influence everybody and the way they want to see things. The only thing I can influence is what happens on a Saturday when I'm playing. As a defender that's reflected in playing well, or keeping clean sheets.

"And we haven't been too bad in that department.

"I want to play as many games as I can this season and we'll take it from there.

"If they don't want to offer me a contract, I've no problems with that. That's their decision."