French reject Houllier Irish link

Gerard Houllier emerged as favourite for the job this week

The French Football Federation has said that its technical director Gerard Houllier will not be the next Republic of Ireland football manager.

Former Liverpool boss Houllier has emerged as the favourite to succeed Steve Staunton in recent days.

However, FFF spokesperson Francois Manardo insisted that Houllier would stay in his current role.

"He has assured the federation that his future is with the FFF," Manardo told the Irish Daily Star.

"There has been plenty of speculation linking him with the job as Ireland manager. I can tell you that it is rubbish."

On Tuesday, Don Givens, one of the headhunters for the role, told the FAI board that they required "more time" for the process.

Following that meeting, the Football Association of Ireland said that "significant progress" had been made and that there had been "positive engagement with a significant number of candidates".

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The FAI added that it was confident that a manager would be appointed in the "near future".

Terry Venables has been the long-time favourite for the position before Gerard Houllier emerged as the strong favourite this week.

Liam Brady has also been linked with the job.

It is understood that Givens and his recruitment colleagues Don Howe and Ray Houghton have still to hold interviews with a couple of candidates.

As on Thursday morning, former Northern Ireland manager Lawrie Sanchez has not been officially contacted about the job while ex-Derby boss Billy Davies said earlier this week, that he was not due to be interviewed until early next month.

David O'Leary ruled himself out of contention for the Republic job last week while several other candidates, including Graeme Souness, fell by the wayside during the protracted search for a successor to Staunton, who lost the job in late October.

Venables has said very little in relation to the Republic job but he was interviewed for the position earlier this month and is believed to have impressed Givens, Howe and Houghton.