Toshack gains favour as Ireland widen net

As John Aldridge was backed down to even-money favourite with Dublin bookmakers yesterday to become the Republic of Ireland manager, the Football Association of Ireland president, Milo Corcoran, was signalling a different direction.

Aldridge, who played 69 times for his adopted country, was one of a crop of former Irish internationals mentioned as potential successors to Mick McCarthy – who resigned on Tuesday – including Joe Kinnear, Ronnie Whelan and Liam Brady.

Corcoran appeared to have something else in mind when he told the BBC: "I think we should do what England did and go for somebody away from the scene altogether. The Jack Charlton thing worked and the Mick McCarthy thing worked. But now my personal opinion is that it's time to do something different."

That approach would favour John Toshack, who briefly managed Wales and gained wider international experience than most of the other candidates in his time as coach of several leading Spanish clubs, including Real Madrid. Toshack has become a respected figure in Ireland through his media work at the World Cup and European Championship.

Whoever takes over, almost certainly in time for a friendly away to Scotland in February, will become only the fifth Ireland manager in 30 years after John Giles (1973-80), Eion Hand (1980-85), Charlton (1986-96) and McCarthy (1996-2002).

Brendan Menton, general secretary of the FAI, also appeared to be widening his horizons, saying: "We would consider a foreign coach. We have spoken to nobody and there is no shortlist and there are no favourites at this stage.

"We have established no criteria at this stage but we are not going to rule anybody out on nationality. I think it is absolutely important we get a top-class international coach who will build on our recent success and what Mick has achieved."

While the former Leeds manager and Irish international David O'Leary ruled himself out, Joe Kinnear said he would not be applying for the job, though he seemed to be hoping for a call. Currently in charge at Second Division Luton, Kinnear turned down the job six years ago when he at Wimbledon but is another of the bookies' fancies.

"I won't be applying for the job – if people want you they come and get you," Kinnear said yesterday. "I'm not getting sucked into anything. I probably didn't do myself any favours last time I was offered the job and turned it down – whether they will ask me again, I don't know."

Jason McAteer, who publicly backed McCarthy when the Keane row blew up in the Far East, proved himself a master of diplomacy yesterday, asserting that the manager had been hounded out of his job, while at the same time extending the hand of peace to his former captain.

"It is a disgrace – there must be some very weak people out there," McAteer said. "It is a great loss and a great shame, and a lot of people want some answers. It's really disappointing that after losing two games he should get the bullet. It's hard to realise what's going on at the moment.

"The big issue is Roy Keane. Roy made the decision to leave the World Cup – he's not a fool and he's not a nasty person, but he left Mick to pick up the pieces."

But McAteer added: "After all that has gone on between me and Roy, I do actually like Roy. What happened is part and parcel of football. I am not going to walk away and say I hate Roy Keane for what happened because I don't. At the end of 90 minutes you shake each other's hand and get on with it."