Givens tells FAI more time is needed

FAI board members were told last night they could expect to be called together again this side of the Brazil game in two weeks' time to receive a recommendation on who should succeed Steve Staunton as manager of the Ireland football team.

At their meeting in Abbotstown last night, Don Givens told them that while the recruitment process has reached an advanced stage he, Don Howe and Ray Houghton have a couple of candidates still to interview and need a little more time.

The briefing came against a backdrop of unconfirmed reports Liam Brady had been offered but declined the post of elite performance director and that Gerard Houllier, who has dropped out of this weekend's coaching conference in Dundalk for personal reasons, had left Givens and co unclear as to the extent of his interest in the manager's job but that they were keen to obtain clarification from the Frenchman before making their decision.

Sources close to Terry Venables have confirmed, however, he is still a candidate and that would be likely to change quickly if the Londoner had any inkling he was no longer in with a strong chance.

In a statement issued last night the association said only the board was "satisfied that significant progress has been made but understands that more time is required before the panel return with a recommendation", adding the board accepted there had been "positive engagement" with a number of candidates.

"The board," the statement continued, "is confident that the search for a new manager for the Republic of Ireland . . . will be concluded in the near future."