Venables keen on Irish job as FAI takes its time

However, sources at the Football Association of Ireland insisted that they were in no rush to appoint a successor to Brian Kerr, whose contract was not renewed after the failure to qualify for next year's World Cup, and may even delay an appointment until "well into the new year".

Venables's name features on the list of potential candidates being considered and some initial contact is believed to have been made through third parties.

Venables insisted yesterday that he had "not been approached for the Republic of Ireland job and I have not applied for it". Nevertheless the 62-year-old is believed to be keen to return to management and would find the post - which carries a salary of up to €1m (£677,000) - attractive.

The situation is complicated because the FAI remains hopeful it can persuade Martin O'Neill to take the job. They have not appointed an agent or head-hunter to approach candidates and, it is understood, the task is to be undertaken by chief executive John Delaney, who is heading a three-strong committee.

If Venables is appointed it is likely the FAI would want him to work with a younger Irish coach such as Steve Staunton or Niall Quinn, who would be groomed as his successor.

Gary Lineker, who played under Venables at Tottenham Hotspur and Barcelona, said yesterday: "If he does take it, he will do a good job. He is one of the top coaches."

Meanwhile, Milan Mandaric, the chairman of one of Venables' former clubs, Portsmouth, insisted yesterday that he had no immediate plans to replace manager Alain Perrin.

"We are disappointed with the results but we feel it's important to stick with a manager who has taken such a professional approach," he said. "But it's important we look at how we can get the points to stay in the Premier [League]."

It is believed that Perrin's future is being reviewed on a game-by-game basis. If he is sacked, it is likely that Portsmouth will turn to a young British manager - someone such as Crystal Palace's Iain Dowie.