Troussier keen on Ireland position

SOCCER: Former Japan coach Philippe Troussier said yesterday he would be "very interested" in becoming the new Republic of Ireland manager. Martin O'Neill is believed to the FAI's preferred choice to succeed Brian Kerr. However, Frenchman Troussier, who was interviewed for the job three years ago, could again emerge as a candidate.

"It's an honour to be linked with the job. The financial conditions would also not be a problem," said Troussier.

The 50-year-old, who guided Japan to the second round of the 2002 World Cup finals, added the chance to manage the Republic "would be too good an opportunity to refuse".

Troussier is currently in the frame for the vacant Moroccan national team job and also has an offer from a "big club in Turkey" but he hinted the Irish role was the one which interested him the most. Troussier is aware the FAI's preferred candidates appear to be O'Neill and Alex Ferguson.

He has not been contacted by the FAI about the vacancy but is hoping the call may come again after he narrowly missed out on the job in January 2003. Troussier acknowledged there would be some doubts about the wisdom of employing a foreign coach. "To take a decision to employ a foreign coach would not be so easy and makes it even more of a victory for me that my name is being linked with this job."

Troussier added he was "surprised" by the Republic's failure to qualify for the World Cup finals in Germany. "Everybody expected a good performance against Switzerland and the display was a surprise. I thought the Irish team deserved to go to Germany but in football, nothing is logical and you have to go and play the matches."

He added he would relish the task of having to bring in "new blood" which is likely to be a large part of the new manager's job. "I like this kind of process. When I took charge of the Japanese team I was in charge of three categories - the senior team, the Olympic team and the under-19s."

Troussier suggested he would not drive a hard financial bargain with the FAI. "If I want to get money, I know where I have to go. To accept this kind of job is not for the money."

Troussier has also had spells in charge of South Africa, Nigeria, the Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso and Qatar. He took charge of Marseille last November and appeared to be unfortunate to lose that job in the summer after the club just missed out on a Uefa Cup place.

Meanwhile, Graham Kavanagh has called on the FAI to ensure a new manager "has a passion for the country" if Ireland are to emerge from the doldrums. Kavanagh believes a fellow Irishman, or at least someone with Irish connections, should be appointed.

Kavanagh said: "Whoever the FAI choose, it has to be the right appointment. We've now missed out on a World Cup and a European Championship, and financially it has cost the FAI a hell of a lot of money."

"Obviously, there's been lots of names bandied about these past few days, but I'm sure whoever they pick will be somebody connected with Ireland, someone who has a passion for the country and has Ireland's best interests at heart. I don't want to ruin my chances if a foreign manager does come in, but given a choice I would like to see an Irish manager, or one with Irish connections."

Commenting on David O'Leary, Kavanagh said: "If it turns out he is the manager, then so be it. I certainly don't think I would have to impress him in any way. He knows what I could possibly do."