McCarthy reveals World Cup wish
McCarthy guided the Republic of Ireland to the last 16 in the 2002 World Cup and yesterday he revealed his ambitions plans for the future.
“If we start doing my wish list then the reality is I want to win the Premier League,” said the 52-year-old.
“But I also want to go to another World Cup or a European Championships with another international team or with Ireland.”
McCarthy spent six years with Ireland and he still rates leading his side to the 2002 World Cup as one of the best times of his career.
The incidents in Saipan and fall out with Roy Keane that split the nation have not diminished his desire to manage Ireland again.
The Yorkshire born former centre-half admitted he only contemplated leaving Wolves on one occasion, when he was offered the South Korea coach’s job in December 2007 after a tough year and a half in the Molineux hot-seat.
“The South Korea job was the only time for me personally,” said McCarthy.
“I did quite fancy it actually – I just got approached and asked.
“I thought about it and I’d have enjoyed it — trying to take another team to a World Cup does appeal.
“I’d sooner take Ireland to another World Cup but taking another one would be fantastic.
“But the opportunity came and went and it was the right thingbecause I wanted to be here and I wanted to get into the Premier League with Wolves.”
McCarthy still has the odd rant and can be a nightmare for anyone from the media who happens to have asked the wrong question but as time goes on the former no-nonsense defender appears to have a longer fuse.
“Without doubt,” he smiled when asked if he has mellowed over the years.
“I still haven’t lost that desire to win, but I’m more considered.
“I use that word a lot myself — I think about things a little bit more.
“Sometimes I might fly off the handle — which is necessary from time to time — but I hope I’m becoming a better manager.
“But if I wasn’t getting better, there would be something wrong.”
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