Greece play down Venables link

Venables' position at Middlesbrough remains unclear

Greece have played down reports linking them with a move for former England coach Terry Venables.

Venables was reported to be considering taking over the Greek national team - who lost 2-0 to England in a World Cup qualifying match on Wednesday.

Greek press officer Panos Korkodilos told BBC Sport Online: "We cannot confirm or deny this story as it originated outside Greece."

The Greeks have some good players and there's a useful foundation

  Terry Venables

Earlier, Korkodilos added: "There is no official comment from the Hellenic Football Federation at the moment because I don't know if that story is true.

"I don't know anything about that report and if there was an approach it's my job to know."

On Sunday, Venables told the News of the World newspaper: "I was approached by a representative of the Greek FA yesterday and asked whether I would like the job.

"We will speak again this week, but it would be a bit mischievous to lead them out against England, wouldn't it?"

Venables' position at Middlesbrough remains unclear, mainly due to his television commitments.

But Venables admitted: "They (Greece) only have four or five games a year so it's feasible.

"But I've warned them it could all be too complicated. And I've also got to consider lots of other things - like whether I still want to be a football coach.

"The Greeks have some good players and there's a useful foundation.

"I know as much about Greek football as I did about Australian football when I took over as their national manager.

"But you very quickly do a crash course and study the games ahead."