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Ossie Ardiles could make suprise return to management

Pa
Wednesday 21 January 2009 11:32 GMT
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Ossie Ardiles believes he is the man to save Inverness from Clydesdale Bank Premier League relegation after emerging as a surprise candidate to replace Craig Brewster.

Former Tottenham and Newcastle boss Ardiles, who won the World Cup with Argentina as a player, claims he has been made aware of interest from rock-bottom Caley Thistle.

The 56-year-old currently lives in London, where he has been coaching at David Beckham's soccer academy since being sacked by Paraguayan club Cerro Porteno in August.

He said: "I have followed Scottish football closely over the years and I am very excited by the possibility of working there.

"Of course, this job would be a very big challenge but I am up to that. The number one priority for them is survival and that won't be easy.

"However, they are only one point behind Falkirk and six behind Hamilton with 16 games still to play so there is time to sort out the problems which are there.

"I have been told that there is an interest from the club and that, initially, it may only be an appointment until the end of the season. But if they want me and if I succeed in keeping them up then I would like to commit myself to Inverness for a lot longer."

Ardiles has enjoyed previous success in rescuing a club from the drop, having taken over at Yokohama Marinos when they were adrift at the foot of the J League in 2000.

"That was a difficult situation but I managed to change it quite suddenly," he said.

"I'm certain that I could do the same with Inverness. Every job is difficult for a manager but you must give it 100% of your heart and soul and I always do that.

"I admit that I don't know a great deal about the Inverness players but you can learn what you need to know about a squad very quickly. I've been in that situation before and my experience helps me to speed that process up a little bit. I look forward to discussing this with Inverness."

Brewster was sacked on Monday following seven straight SPL defeats and has yet to comment on his dismissal.

He has broken his silence only to reveal he is considering a return to playing at the age of 42.

"I've always kept myself fit so I see no reason why I can't look out those football boots again," said Brewster, whose last professional appearance was in September 2007.

"I feel in good shape, I've continued to train on a regular basis while in Inverness and believe I could still do a job."

Other names in the frame to replace Brewster in the Inverness hotseat are former manager John Robertson and Scotland assistant boss Terry Butcher.

The pair have given contrasting responses to be linked with the vacancy.

Robertson, who led Caley Thistle to promotion in 2004 before leaving for Hearts, said in the Daily Mail: "I've had calls about it but there's little I can say other than I'm a football manager who is out of work.

"People know where I am if they want to speak to me."

Former Motherwell manager Butcher said: "I've not spoken to anybody about the job. It's all speculation as far as I'm concerned.

"I have two jobs already with Scotland and Setanta and I enjoy both of those so, at the moment, I'm not giving anything else a lot of thought."

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