O’Leary interested in Ireland manager job

Former Republic of Ireland star David O’Leary, inset, admits he would be interested in managing his country.

However the ex Leeds United and Aston Villa boss last night said he has not been contacted by FAI head hunters tasked with finding Giovanni Trapattoni’s successor.

O’Leary, who yesterday played in the Portugal Masters Pro-Am, has not worked since his controversial sacking by Dubai-based Al Ahli FC in April 2011.

Earlier this year he won £3.34m (€3.9m) in compensation from the club after a long-running legal case.

When asked about the national post he replied: “I’m a lad from Ireland. I’ve got my mum and dad and sister at home. Of course, anybody from Ireland who is capable of doing it has got to be interested, without a doubt, definitely. But have I been asked? No. I can tell you that as I have not been asked.”

He felt that the FAI erred in not appointing a new manager after the European Championships last summer.

“I thought after the Euro Championships, the manager has done a really good job (in getting Ireland there) but after the finals, I thought it was time for change then, personally.

“I couldn’t understand signing the contract before that as I felt after the finals would be a nice time to make a change. I thought the man got it organised and he was good for it but I think it would have been nice to have a change after the Euro finals.”