Mick McCarthy says he won’t rule himself in or out of the running for the vacant Republic of Ireland manager’s job until he is asked whether he wants it by the FAI. The Blues boss is now the favourite for the job he previous occupied between 1996 and 2002 with widespread reports in Ireland claiming he is the man the FAI want to replace Giovanni Trapattoni, who left by mutual consent last month.
McCarthy says he’s had no contact from the FAI - "No, I haven’t” — but failed to rule himself out of the running: "If somebody ever asks me the question as to what I’ll do, I’ll tell them.”
Questioned further, he added: "If somebody asks me the question, I’ll tell them.
"I think anybody who wants to ask me the question should ask Marcus Evans the question first anyway because I’m under contract here until June 2015.”
He says he has been frustrated, flattered and annoyed by the ongoing speculation, but keeps his mind focused on Town: "Probably all of those things at times," he admitted.
"I can’t help it, but I just concentrate on my job and whatever will be, will be.”