No Irish return for McCarthy

Wolves manager Mick McCarthy has ruled out the possibility of returning as coach of the Republic of Ireland.

Caretaker-coach Don Givens this week described McCarthy as "the ideal candidate" following the Football Association of Ireland's recent decision to sack Steve Staunton.

McCarthy said: "It's got better in terms of the finance, the training facilities and the support, so whoever gets it will be fortunate, but I'm not considering it in any shape or form."

He added: "I would be an ideal candidate because I did it for seven years with some success.

"It was a fantastic job and I loved every minute of it. For all the grief the FAI gets they let me get on with the job."

McCarthy succeeded Jack Charlton as coach of the Republic of Ireland in March 1996 and resigned in November 2002 shortly after the previous summer's World Cup.