Caretaker manager Don Givens today ruled himself out of the running to succeed Mick McCarthy as Republic of Ireland manager.
Givens, the current under-21 manager, a role he has held since February 2000, has been entrusted with guiding the senior team in their friendly crusade against Greece tomorrow week.
But while revealing the Athens challenge was "an honour and a privilege", Givens insisted he has "no interest in the job" on a full time basis.
"Regardless of the result in Greece, I see this as a one off situation and win, lose or draw, good performance or bad performance I won't be in the frame to be the next manager," he confirmed today.
"I'm looking forward to it. To have the chance to get involved on a one off situation with the senior players is marvelous."
Givens (53), scorer of 19 goals in 56 appearances for the Republic, appeared somewhat apprehensive giving his first press conference as guardian to the senior outfit and stated his role was merely a fleeting one.
"I'm doing this job for one game but I don't want it to be a loss. I'll be doing everything I can to get a result out there from all points of view; from my own and for the players."
"I think it's important from the players point of view to get a decent performance in Greece. I haven't spoke to any of them but I imagine that the two latest performances haven't been up to the usual standard of the squad."
A former Manchester United player, Givens will be tempted to start Old Trafford's latest darling John O'Shea against the Greeks. "John is making a lot of progress," he said, "and would certainly be very much in contention for a place if he arrives in fit."
Givens, who after United moved to Luton, QPR, Birmingham, Bournemouth, Sheffield United and Neuchatel Xamax in Switzerland, refused to dwell on who was likely to feature in his starting eleven until all upcoming Champions League, UEFA Cup and league games were out of the way.
"Obviously with it being a friendly game and with the games between now and when the squad get together, all of these boys on the squad might not turn up, so obviously I can not think of my team for a week or so," he explained.
"In the past friendly internationals have been littered with people pulling out and I'm half expecting that again. Who pulls out and who doesn't will dictate my team and how we are going to play."
"Picking the eleven will be dependent on the position and availability of who makes it into Dublin next weekend.