McCarthy seeks talks on future as Irish manager

Mick McCarthy yesterday insisted that he is not about to quit as manager of the Republic of Ireland. But doubts still surround his immediate future and he was not prepared to speculate on whether he would be in charge when Ireland face Georgia in their next European Championship qualifier in March.

The Republic lost both their opening qualifiers against Russia and Switzerland and reports yesterday suggested McCarthy was seeking clear-the-air talks with the Football Association of Ireland about his immediate plans.

It was thought he would fit them in while travelling to Dublin for a television appearance on Friday, but he has since pulled out. "'I did say I was going to talk to the FAI, but it wasn't like I was going to talk to them on Wednesday or Friday," McCarthy said. "I will be talking to them, but it is not as if I have an immediate plan to go and discuss my future. We have a match next month against Greece and I have to discuss things to do with that. I am not going anywhere to resign. I've got both my feet on the floor and I'm very pragmatic about the way things are going."

McCarthy has come under increasing pressure since losing at home to Switzerland two weeks ago. Some critics believe the only way the Republic can qualify for the European Championships in 2004 is for McCarthy to be replaced, allowing Roy Keane to return to the side following his infamous exit from the World Cup.

McCarthy added: "In the end it's not about me. It's not about Roy Keane. It's not about certain individuals. It is about the greater good of the team and the country."

McCarthy was speaking in Dublin at the end of a hectic 48 hours promoting his 2002 World Cup diary, which was published yesterday.