Venables plays down Republic link

Bookies’ favourite Terry Venables has revealed he has not been approached about or applied for the post of Republic of Ireland manager.

The former England, Barcelona and Tottenham coach has been heavily linked with the position vacated by Brian Kerr after the Republic’s failure to qualify for next summer’s World Cup.

However, Venables told Sky Sports News: “I have not been approached for the Republic of Ireland job and I have not applied for it.”