Sir Bobby Tight-Lipped

Last updated : 16 October 2005 By Footy Mad - Editor

Sir Bobby Robson appears to have ruled himself out of becoming the next manager of the Republic of Ireland as speculation continues to mount over the future of current boss Brian Kerr.

The Irish failed to qualify for next summer's World cup finals in Germany and Robson is being tipped as a possible successor if Kerr is axed this week.

But speaking on BBC Radio Five Live's Sportsweek programme, the former England manager said: "I have no reaction to the stories. It is pure speculation. As far as I am concerned the FAI have a very good manager in Brian Kerr at the moment and I wish him well."

However, former Leeds legend Johnny Giles, the first man to be appointed player manager of Ireland in 1976, believes Kerr's contract will not be renewed.

"In the end we finished in fourth position," said Giles. "We didn't beat any of the top teams in the group and drew against Switzerland and Israel twice, you don't qualify from your group unless you make a break somewhere along the way. We didn't do that.

"We finished the tournament badly. We played badly against Cyprus and I thought very poorly against Switzerland.

"If and when the job becomes available they will have at least 200 applicants so they have got to sort something from that.

"A few months ago Brian Kerr's people approached the FAI for an extension to his contract but the FAI made it clear they wouldn't speak about it until after the World Cup campaign which didn't look good from Brian's point of view and we didn't qualify. So it hasn't made the conditions any better for him. The general consensus is they will not renew Brian Kerr's contract."