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.”

Photo: Action Images

BiGDonnie added 15:01 - Oct 18 Bye Mick, thanks for all your hard work. Welcome back GB.
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megamoth added 15:08 - Oct 18 Looks like the best that we can hope for on this is that we get compensation and agreement that he sees out the rest of the season with us
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JimmyJazz added 15:09 - Oct 18 So the only thing stopping him is his contract? Says it all really George Burley? - hello league 1 then
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NoCanariesAllowed added 15:10 - Oct 18 We can all say what we like about how we'd feel should he take the job. But I'll say this - if he gets offered the Ireland job, looks it square in the face, and says "no", I'll have a lot of respect for him. It's all very well and good to ask him how he feels about it when it's only a hypothetical question, but if he considers his options carefully and comes to the reasoned decision that he wants to stay here, I'd take that as a great sign of the strength of his desire to fulfil his objectives here.

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bluemingood added 15:10 - Oct 18 He wont take a chance on ruining his past success with them. Never look back Mick. Onwards and upwards with your Town project please.
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gazzmac4 added 15:11 - Oct 18 Still think that although Mick is a great manager and was so for ROI it would be a set back for them. Not because Mick isnt up to the job but just because they need to try something new, something fresh to get their national team moving forwards again. What that is i dont know but for me i still believe we can keep hold of Big Mick! Heres hoping i am right!
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JimmyJazz added 15:11 - Oct 18 Megamoth - what's the point in having a manager who knows he's leaving in the summer? He can just go for broke for promotion with no worries if it fails. Also ROI want to appoint a manager next month
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Dolly2.0 added 15:12 - Oct 18 He may just be genuinely frustrated at people keep asking him this question, which is why he's being bullish about not answering.There is of course the chance that he's using it to keep ME on his toes and squeeze a bit more transfer kitty out of him. All ITFC supporters should be praying/crossing their fingers/buying lucky heather right now.
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bennyitfc added 15:18 - Oct 18 He's already proven at International level.. Town is his current challenge & his record with other clubs suggests he's here for the duration. In my opinion.
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cooper4england added 15:22 - Oct 18 My optimistic take on his is mick loves the ITFC job however is jarred off at the financial backing of previous managers. If he worries ME enough then a couple of million maybe made available in januar if he promises to stay. Oh and my glass is half full..... unless its your round then its half empty so get em in!!!
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depressed added 15:22 - Oct 18 " Flattered, frustrated and annoyed by ongoing speculation" Well Mick that's easy to resolve......Answer the question instead of all this cryptic rubbish.
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clive_baker added 15:29 - Oct 18 Would be gutted to see him go, we've come on a long way in the year he's been here and I think we can keep improving. Having said that, I wouldn't blame him if he took it, he probably feels like there's some unfinished business there and thinks he could get them to the Euros. Plus there probably comes a point when the day to day rigors of club football take their toll. I know 54 is young but international management must be an attractive proposition. I don't agree that ROI need to 'look forward', Trappatoni was something different and look how that turned out. He would be an excellent appointment for them. If he does go I would welcome George Burley back in a heartbeat. Whatever may happen with GB at the helm you know we'll try and develop the young players, play attractive football and stay true to the clubs traditions. Perhaps unearth a few unknown Dutch gems in the process. Hoping for plenty of "We want you to stay, we want you to staaaaaaaay, Mick McCarthy, we want you to stay" tomorrow. COYB.

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kerryblue747 added 15:33 - Oct 18 sounds like he is annoyed at not being asked FAI
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Jimmy86 added 15:37 - Oct 18 Looking increasingly more likely that he will take the job if offered which is a shame at a time we were building. He has made us harder to beat and we are now starting to play better football, on the flip side he is negative in his approach away from home when 3 points could be had against beatable teams and is also a rigid 4 4 2 man and will turn to long ball if they are up against it. All in all would be sad to loose him bexaise we are harder to beat, but wont ever play free flowing football

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jabberjackson added 15:39 - Oct 18 mICK MIGHT QUITE FANCY THE JOB, BUT i HAVE A FEELING THAT tERRY cONNOR WOULD BE ABSOLUTELY GUTTED, AS HE IS really enjoying his job and would probably like a bit of stability. Their job is safe at ITFC for a good few years, they are well liked and respected. Show some Robson like commitment and finish the job fellas.
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Jewels added 15:42 - Oct 18 The sooner this gets sorted the better. Sounds like he wants the job, if he didn't he should say as it causes unrest with everyone and it's unfair. GIve the job to TC until the end of the season and see how he gets on!
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StowTractorBoy added 15:47 - Oct 18 I don't know why people keep banging on about money available to Mick. Financial Fair Play rules will not allow us to spend millions and despite what many think we have already spent a lot of money on players albeit in salary costs. As for George Burley - you are having a laugh I hope. He is the man who helped ruin the Club with ridiculous signings and dreadful tactics during the last months of his tenure. Yes he was good for us for a few seasons but his time with ITFC has run out in my opinion. Just hope MM stays but getting frustrated by his non commitment to ITFC.

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Keaneish added 15:54 - Oct 18 He's staying, move on...
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algarvefan added 15:55 - Oct 18 I'll ask the question then Mick, "If offered the Ireland job will you take it?"
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tractorollson added 16:00 - Oct 18 I think he wants to be asked personally, certainly dont want him to go but have a feeling he will sadly
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RetroBlue added 16:02 - Oct 18 Keanish: What makes you so certain of that? Just curious.
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brittaniaman added 16:22 - Oct 18 Well Dave Allard put his life on it yesterday by saying he will not go ???????? Which was on The Naked Truth by the way !!!!!!!
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bluebud added 16:33 - Oct 18 ....if the speculation has been frustrating and annoying all he had to do was rule himself out! He's going :-(
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tractorfact added 16:46 - Oct 18 yeah think he will go , shame Didnt we ask Megson ages ago and he turned us down please no !!
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tractorfact added 16:47 - Oct 18 hope this now wont effect the players needs to be sorted one way or the other and quickly
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