Aldridge backs down

John Aldridge has distanced himself from allegations he made in an Irish newspaper column suggesting the FAI failed to honour him an interview for the vacant Irish managers job.

Aldridge yesterday alleged the FAI failed to keep an appointment with him and his representative but today conceded that no such appointment for interview had actually been arranged.

"At no stage were meetings set up with John Aldridge and at no stage were meetings cancelled with John Aldridge," a statement issued through his representative, David Lockwood, read.

The FAI tonight welcomed Aldridge’s statement of clarification for "inaccuracies which appeared in newspaper articles over the last two days".

Yesterday, FAI chief executive John Delaney refuted suggestions that he or his associates failed to attend meetings with the 69-times capped striker.

"If anyone can tell me the times, dates, and hotels we were to supposed to have met people and didn’t then I’ll hold my hands up," Delaney told reporters at Dublin’s Mansion House.

"It is mischievous and inaccurate for anyone to say we had meetings set up which we did not attend," he said.

Writing in yesterday's Evening Herald, Aldridge said the FAI contacted his agent in December and told him to nominate and keep clear two days last week for a meeting.

But today’s statement confirmed:  "The FAI did not contact John Aldridge’s agent in December 2005."

Lockwood met Delaney last month to discuss issues other than the vacant Irish job.  At that meeting he suggested the association consider his client for the role only to be told the FAI already had a "preferred approach" for finding Brian Kerr’s successor.

According to Lockwood, Delaney said if this process was unsuccessful then other options could be considered.

Aldridge's statement continued:  "The FAI informed David Lockwood on Monday evening last, January 9th, that a certain option was now being pursued and no other options would be considered. All parties have at all times acted professionally and honestly."

Aldridge has welcomed the appointment of Steve Staunton - his former international team-mate - as Republic of Ireland manager.