Coppell rules himself out

Reading manager Steve Coppell has ruled himself out of the running for the Republic of Ireland job.

The former England winger had been suggested as a possible replacement for Steve Staunton, who left the post on Tuesday following a disappointing Euro 2008 qualification campaign.

Coppell made it clear he had no plans to leave the Madejski Stadium just yet but admitted he had helped create the speculation himself by his comments in a television interview.

He said: "The stories are just people being mischievous but I did do an interview with Pat Dolan, who does the TV over there, and he asked about it.

"I just said the older I get the more international football appeals to me. Eight games a year - I could quite happily do that.

"I also happened to mention my grandmother was Irish so to all intents and purposes I qualify."

Midfielder Stephen Hunt, who was given his Republic debut by Staunton last season, reckoned the Football Association of Ireland might be able to tempt Coppell in a few seasons' time.

He said: "He has enough on his hands here at the moment but maybe sometime down the line our manager might fancy it."

Hunt, who was sent off in September's 1-0 defeat in the Czech Republic, admitted Staunton's position had become untenable as soon as qualification for the Euro 2008 finals became impossible.

He said: "We had fallen below expectations in terms of what Ireland could achieve.

"Over the years Ireland raised the bar so the generation that is playing now are expected to qualify for European Championships and World Cups, which is a good thing because if you are happy with third or fourth place then you might as well not be playing at all.

"Whoever gets the job will have a tough task on his hands. We have to get playing again, get playing well and get the country behind us again because it was the press in Ireland that hounded the manager out and in the end the public supported the press and wanted him out.

"But that was never the case with the players. It was just a matter of putting on the shirt, being proud and trying to do our best.

"Unfortunately it didn't work out that way in the last few games but we have to look forward now and wait for the new appointment."

Staunton could claim he had been let down by a squad that comprised many experienced Barclays Premier League campaigners and Hunt did not deny that.

He said: "I can only speak for myself. I had seven or eight qualifying games and I played okay in most.

"The last one I was disappointed with myself and was honest enough to say that after the game.

"I let a few people down and that goes for a few of us on the night. Over the whole I don't think I let him down."