The developing game of footsy between Wigan Athletic chairman Dave Whelan and his former manager, Paul Jewell, looked increasingly likely yesterday to end with confirmation the FAI will need to look elsewhere for Steve Staunton's successor.
The 43-year-old Jewell looks to be on course for a return to the club he managed with considerable success for six seasons before opting to take a break from the game at the start of the summer. In the event Jewell does take the job it would end any lingering hopes the FAI might have had of recruiting him to manage the Ireland team.
It is believed the association had already sounded out the Englishman about taking on the role and while he had indicated his preference was for a return to club football, it may have been hoped that a lack of immediate alternatives might have made overseeing a World Cup campaign an attractive enough proposal.
Jewell, though, kicked off a day of feverish speculation linking him with a return to the JJB Stadium by writing in a newspaper column that "after six months away I'm ready to return. I'll consider any offers that come my way."
He denied reports negotiations were already at an advanced stage and insisted there has been no contact but he subsequently conceded that the situation is difficult for him because of his friendship with Chris Hutchings, the man whose dismissal earlier this week created the vacancy.
Whelan also denied that anything had been done to pave the way for his friend's return but when asked if Jewell would be his first choice for the post, he replied, "absolutely".
His subsequent remarks about hoping Jewell might apply for the job seemed a little hard to take entirely at face value and while the club's former manager is currently on holidays in Dubai it seems that something might just be under way.
Those hoping that Graeme Souness might land the Ireland job will at least be boosted by yesterday's developments at Wigan.
The Scot has clearly signalled his interest in both positions but Whelan was dismissive of suggestions that he might be a serious contender to take over at the Premier League outfit.
"I've not spoken to Graeme for three years," said the club's chairman, "and I've never spoken to him about being manager of Wigan."
He went on to observe that the source of the speculation was "a mystery to me".
John Aldridge, meanwhile, has admitted he would still love to get the Ireland job while confirming that previous experience of being a contender means he will not apply.
"Obviously as a coach you've got to be interested in managing your country," said the former Liverpool and Ireland striker. "Being able to work for your country in any capacity would be interesting. I was interested the last couple of times when I put my name in the hat. It wasn't to be so third time lucky . . . you never know."
Aldridge has in the past been mentioned by members of the current squad as somebody who might prove a popular choice for the job and he is widely felt to have done well while in charge of Tranmere Rovers.
The 49-year-old has not worked in management since parting company with the club six years ago and would be considered a rank outsider to land the role after the failure of another prominent international player of the same era to make more of an impact in the role.
Pat Devlin, meanwhile, will name his squad this afternoon for the B international against Scotland in Airdrie on Tuesday week.
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