Leeds manager Brian McDermott rules out Republic of Ireland switch – for now

But Martin O'Neill remains the clear favourite to succeed Giovanni Trapattoni as Republic's manager

Martin O’Neill: Has been out of work since being sacked by Sunderland in March (AFP/Getty Images)

Leeds manager Brian McDermott has ruled himself out of the running for the vacant Republic of Ireland manager's job – for the time being.

McDermott, 52, was a leading contender to succeed Giovanni Trapattoni, who ended his five-year tenure by mutual consent on Wednesday following the Republic's World Cup qualifying defeat in Austria.

"Everybody knows what I feel about Ireland, my family, my history and how important that is to me," said McDermott, who was born in England to Irish parents. "One day I want to manage the Republic of Ireland, but at this moment I'm at a fantastic football club. I've kind of been adopted here and feel I owe this club and I owe these supporters. They're really important to me.

"In years to come, when Leeds get fed up of me, if I got that opportunity [with Ireland] I'd have to take it," he added. Martin O'Neill remains the clear favourite to succeed Trapattoni, with former Republic manager Mick McCarthy, currently in charge at Ipswich, Chris Hughton – who today said he would not be leaving Norwich City – and Roy Keane also being linked with the job.

Ireland chief executive John Delaney revealed he is in no rush to replace the Italian, whom he described as a "success" in the role.

"This campaign was a disappointment. But we have a good set of young players coming through," Delaney said.

"The overall context would be that Trapattoni was a success. There were two very good campaigns and one very disappointing one. In terms of the next manager, all we want is the best man. It doesn't matter if he's Irish, English, continental or whatever as long as we get the best man in to qualify for Euro 2016.

"There is plenty of speculation and there will be plenty of names, like Chris Hughton, Martin O'Neill, Mick McCarthy, Roy Keane and Brian McDermott.

"All those men will be mentioned. Ideally, it would be nice to have a manager in place for the games in October but that's not a must because it's 12 months until we play our first European qualifiers in September. It's important that we get the right man in so we qualify for France 2016."