Giles in talks with Jewell on Irish job

SOCCER:John Giles met the former Wigan manager Paul Jewell yesterday to discuss the vacant Ireland manager's job but there was some confusion last night as to precisely what form the search for Steve Staunton's successor is taking after the FAI insisted that no one had been formally approached about the job, writes Emmet Malonein Cardiff

After he turned down the opportunity to return to the JJB stadium a couple of days ago it had been reported that Jewell might be approached again and it appears that the meeting took place in the north of England yesterday. It was originally rumoured yesterday that two people - one a senior employee of the association, the other a former advisor to it - travelled from Dublin to represent the organisation but those reports turned out to be groundless and Giles's involvement was effectively confirmed by his failure to deny it when asked about it last night.

"John Giles asked to see me and I went to meet him," said the 43-year-old Englishman. "We had a chat about football in general and of course he mentioned the Irish job situation. It wasn't an interview but I'm flattered by the interest and I'm certainly not ruling it out. I'm thinking about it and we'll see soon enough whether anything develops."

Giles had earlier been asked about the situation during his regular slot on the Off the Ball radio programme on Newstalk. The Dubliner didn't deny that he had met with Jewell or that he was involved in the FAI's recruitment campaign but he said that he couldn't clarify the situation for the moment. "I said at the start that I would help in any way I could but at the moment I have to treat this situation with confidentiality so I can't say anything to you at the moment."

The former Leeds and Manchester United midfielder has a newspaper column on a Friday and it seems likely that his intention was to reveal his role in that as he said that he would speak freely about the issue on the radio this evening.

The FAI, meanwhile, would only say last night that, "no approach has been made to any potential manager". It seems implausible, however, that Giles is acting off his own bat although there has been some suggestion that he is one of a number of people from within the game attempting to informally line up potential candidates for the job. Others repeatedly mentioned as serious contenders in recent weeks have been former Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier and Terry Venables, who is England manager Steve McClaren's assistant.

The former recently denied on French television that he had had any talks about the job while the latter expressed interest in the job when it was going before but has not commented this time around and would might well prefer to stay where he is in the event that England were to qualify for next summer's European championship finals.

Jewell, meanwhile, is currently at the centre of a rapidly growing managerial merry-go-round in England with the former Wigan boss currently being linked to a string of vacancies.

In addition to having been sounded out about the Ireland job and being offered the Wigan one, the 43-year-old was yesterday being mentioned in connection with the Preston North End post while there is also the strong possibility that he would become a candidate to take over at Birmingham City in the event that Steve Bruce departs to take over at Wigan.

"I've had a few offers but there is not one I have accepted yet. I have not heard from Preston but it is a fantastic club and I would never say no to speaking to anyone.

"It's alright being mentioned for jobs such as the one at Preston but you have to be offered it so I don't take much notice of what has been said. It doesn't have much significance unless the chairman makes that phone call. I would like to work in the Premier League, yes, but I am not ruling myself out of any job."

Meanwhile, Bobby Robson has admitted his near six-decade involvement in football could come to a close after Ireland's clash with Wales tomorrow.

Robson, who is stepping down from his role with Ireland following Steve Staunton's departure, said: "The chances are I won't get back on the pitch again but I've got my head still and my enthusiasm. It depends on my health - I miss the game immensely."