Venables denies FAI approach for manager’s job

TERRY VENABLES has dampened wild speculation that he was about to be named the next manager of the Republic of Ireland - but hasn’t definitively ruled himself out of the running.

The former manager of England was installed as a favourite with the bookies on Tuesday after rumours spread that an announcement from the FAI on the successor to Brian Kerr was imminent.

However, Venables yesterday told Sky Sports News: “I’ve been not been approached for the Republic of Ireland job and I’ve not applied for it.” Venables, whose management postings include Barcelona and Spurs, is one of the most experienced figures in football management who is currently not active in the game, having recently pulled out of a job in Australia to concentrate on his business interests in Britain.