Post by Taxigirl on Oct 27, 2005 7:26:47 GMT
www.sportinglife.com/football/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/05/10/26/SOCCER_Republic_O___Neill.html
Martin O'Neill has ruled himself out of the running for the vacant managerial position with the Republic of Ireland.
O'Neill had been one of the candidates touted to replace Brian Kerr, whose contract was not renewed following the failure to secure qualification for the 2006 World Cup.
The former Celtic boss was adamant he would not be taking any footballing job in the foreseeable future.
"I left Celtic way back from months ago, obviously for personal reasons, and for a sabbatical out of football for a while. Now these circumstances haven't changed one jot and at the moment I can't see them changing in the foreseeable future," he said.
At a press conference in Dublin to launch a new gaming club, O'Neill insisted he had not been approached by the Football Association of Ireland.
"So I have no idea, I don't know how my name came into the betting," he said.
O'Neill is currently looking after his wife who is believed to be suffering from a serious illness.
Asked if he would still be interested in the job if the FAI delayed the appointment until next May, O'Neill insisted he currently had no timescale for a return to football.
"I genuinely don't know that and that will remain so for some time," he said.
O'Neill claimed Kerr should have retained his job although he acknowledged it had been disappointing for Ireland to miss out on qualification for Germany.
***also running on PA News wire***
(reopens)
O'Neill, who played in the 1982 World Cup finals for Northern Ireland, did not want to get involved in the debate about an All Ireland team which would include players from both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
"It has been talked about for years and years and, like everything else, it has not materialised," he said.
"It hasn't developed and who knows what changes might take place? I didn't see the football climate in my time changing as rapidly as it has done over the last five, six, seven years so I just don't know."
However, he said he did not agree with the view that the position of Republic of Ireland manager had become unattractive because of the lack of talent coming through.
"I think these things are cyclical and I think the Republic of Ireland, because of the past endeavours, will have some really decent players coming through again."
He said the international team had a good record of qualifying for major tournaments under previous managers Jack Charlton and Mick McCarthy.
"I'm not saying you've qualified for every competition but you've had a wonderful, wonderful time and great evenings at Lansdowne Road, reminiscent of European nights at Celtic Park.
"The Irish crowd, this is not to sound patronising, will definitely be missed at any World Cup or Euro tournament."
O'Neill's impressive managerial record had made him a hot favourite for the Irish job.
"Football's in my blood, I'd like to get back into it at this stage or another. But honestly at this moment, I couldn't tell you when that could be," said O'Neill.
Martin O'Neill has ruled himself out of the running for the vacant managerial position with the Republic of Ireland.
O'Neill had been one of the candidates touted to replace Brian Kerr, whose contract was not renewed following the failure to secure qualification for the 2006 World Cup.
The former Celtic boss was adamant he would not be taking any footballing job in the foreseeable future.
"I left Celtic way back from months ago, obviously for personal reasons, and for a sabbatical out of football for a while. Now these circumstances haven't changed one jot and at the moment I can't see them changing in the foreseeable future," he said.
At a press conference in Dublin to launch a new gaming club, O'Neill insisted he had not been approached by the Football Association of Ireland.
"So I have no idea, I don't know how my name came into the betting," he said.
O'Neill is currently looking after his wife who is believed to be suffering from a serious illness.
Asked if he would still be interested in the job if the FAI delayed the appointment until next May, O'Neill insisted he currently had no timescale for a return to football.
"I genuinely don't know that and that will remain so for some time," he said.
O'Neill claimed Kerr should have retained his job although he acknowledged it had been disappointing for Ireland to miss out on qualification for Germany.
***also running on PA News wire***
(reopens)
O'Neill, who played in the 1982 World Cup finals for Northern Ireland, did not want to get involved in the debate about an All Ireland team which would include players from both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
"It has been talked about for years and years and, like everything else, it has not materialised," he said.
"It hasn't developed and who knows what changes might take place? I didn't see the football climate in my time changing as rapidly as it has done over the last five, six, seven years so I just don't know."
However, he said he did not agree with the view that the position of Republic of Ireland manager had become unattractive because of the lack of talent coming through.
"I think these things are cyclical and I think the Republic of Ireland, because of the past endeavours, will have some really decent players coming through again."
He said the international team had a good record of qualifying for major tournaments under previous managers Jack Charlton and Mick McCarthy.
"I'm not saying you've qualified for every competition but you've had a wonderful, wonderful time and great evenings at Lansdowne Road, reminiscent of European nights at Celtic Park.
"The Irish crowd, this is not to sound patronising, will definitely be missed at any World Cup or Euro tournament."
O'Neill's impressive managerial record had made him a hot favourite for the Irish job.
"Football's in my blood, I'd like to get back into it at this stage or another. But honestly at this moment, I couldn't tell you when that could be," said O'Neill.