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Venables dismisses Ireland rumours

09/11/2005

Terry Venables has dismissed speculation linking him with the vacant Republic of Ireland managerial post.

The former England manager has been heavily tipped to succeed Brian Kerr as Ireland manager, with a number of bookmakers announcing last night that they had stopped taking bets on his appointment.

However, Venables has today broken his silence over the links, denying that he has had any contact with the Football Association of Ireland (FAI).

"I have not been approached for the Republic of Ireland job and I have not applied for it," he told reporters this morning.

The FAI has refused to comment on the Venables rumours, stating that the "process is ongoing," and that they wouldn't comment until they had reached a firm agreement.

Kerr was sacked by the FAI after Ireland failed to qualify for the European Championships in Germany next summer, finishing third in their group behind France and Switzerland.

A number of leading contenders – including Martin O'Neill and David O'Leary – have ruled themselves out of the running, leading many to believe that Venables is favourite for the job.

Venables, who has also managed the Australian national side, has been out of the game since 2003, working as a TV pundit and newspaper columnist for a number of media organisations.

Former Republic star Steve Staunton is also rumoured to be in the frame, although many believe that he lacks the experience required for an international managerial post.

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