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.

Despite the flurry of betting on the man they call “El Tel”, the fact is that no managerial appointment to the Irish job is imminent, and while the FAI would prefer to fill the position sooner rather than later, they are prepared to wait until Ireland’s next scheduled fixture in March - or even longer - if it means they get the best man for the job. That suggests that the Association has still not entirely ruled out the possibility that, should his difficult personal situation change for the better, Martin O’ Neill could come back into the running.

“The process is still at an early stage and there is still a good way to go,” said one source. It is understood the three-man sub-committee appointed to nominate Kerr’s successor is employing a wide range of contacts in the game to sound out potential candidates. However, those contacts - whether direct or via intermediaries - are expected to increase in the coming weeks.

It is also worth noting that the managerial market is intrinsically fluid. Just a few short weeks ago, the former Hearts boss George Burley was completely out of the picture. Similarly, how Australia fare in the World Cup play-offs could have a bearing on the availability of Gus Hiddink. The former Dutch and South Korea boss, who is also successfully managing PSV Eindhoven, will see his ‘Socceroos’ play Uruguay in Montevideo in the first leg on November 12, with the second leg in Sydney four days later.

Meanwhile, names like Steve Staunton, Dave O’Leary and John Aldridge continue to feature prominently in the betting as the ‘Fantasy Football Manager’ game continues to attract headlines.