ARBUCKS
16-11-2007, 12:44 PM
Former Wigan boss Paul Jewell has acknowledged his interest in the vacant Republic of Ireland job.
Jewell has confirmed that he had informal talks with former Republic boss John Giles who is believed to be sounding out candidates for the role.
Giles said that he had held discussions with Jewell but he would not confirm that he is working on behalf of the Football Association of Ireland.
"I'm certainly not ruling it out. I am thinking about it," said Jewell.
Giles added that he had "to treat this situation with confidentiality".
Jewell insisted that his meeting with Giles on Thursday had not been "a formal interview".
Giles' help appears to have been enlisted by the FAI in their search for Steve Staunton's successor following the former defender's recent departure.
We had a great chat about football in general and of course he mentioned the Irish job situation
Former Wigan boss Jewell has been linked with the post along with several other managers including Graeme Souness, Terry Venables, Gerard Houllier, David O'Leary and Philippe Troussier.
Jewell, 43, said: "Johnny Giles asked to see me and I went to meet him.
"We had a great chat about football in general and of course he mentioned the Irish job situation, but it wasn't an interview. I'm flattered by the interest.
The FAI concurred with Jewell's insistence the meeting was informal.
A spokesman said: "No approach has been made by the FAI to a potential manager."
Former Wigan boss Jewell opted not to return to the JJB Stadium recently and he has also played down talk of a move to Preston, who sacked Paul Simpson this week.
"I have not heard from Preston. But Preston is a fantastic club and I would never say no to speaking to anyone," he told The Independent.
"It's all right being mentioned for jobs such as the one at Preston but you have to be offered it. I don't take much notice of what has been said.
"It doesn't have much significance unless the chairman makes that phone call. I would like to work in the Premier League, yes, but I am not ruling myself out of any job."
Jewell has confirmed that he had informal talks with former Republic boss John Giles who is believed to be sounding out candidates for the role.
Giles said that he had held discussions with Jewell but he would not confirm that he is working on behalf of the Football Association of Ireland.
"I'm certainly not ruling it out. I am thinking about it," said Jewell.
Giles added that he had "to treat this situation with confidentiality".
Jewell insisted that his meeting with Giles on Thursday had not been "a formal interview".
Giles' help appears to have been enlisted by the FAI in their search for Steve Staunton's successor following the former defender's recent departure.
We had a great chat about football in general and of course he mentioned the Irish job situation
Former Wigan boss Jewell has been linked with the post along with several other managers including Graeme Souness, Terry Venables, Gerard Houllier, David O'Leary and Philippe Troussier.
Jewell, 43, said: "Johnny Giles asked to see me and I went to meet him.
"We had a great chat about football in general and of course he mentioned the Irish job situation, but it wasn't an interview. I'm flattered by the interest.
The FAI concurred with Jewell's insistence the meeting was informal.
A spokesman said: "No approach has been made by the FAI to a potential manager."
Former Wigan boss Jewell opted not to return to the JJB Stadium recently and he has also played down talk of a move to Preston, who sacked Paul Simpson this week.
"I have not heard from Preston. But Preston is a fantastic club and I would never say no to speaking to anyone," he told The Independent.
"It's all right being mentioned for jobs such as the one at Preston but you have to be offered it. I don't take much notice of what has been said.
"It doesn't have much significance unless the chairman makes that phone call. I would like to work in the Premier League, yes, but I am not ruling myself out of any job."