O'Leary has future ambitions to manage Ireland

Aston Villa manager O'Leary was quick to distance himself from the job which became vacant when it was decided not to renew Brian Kerr's contract earlier in the month.

But the former Republic central defender will be keen to have a crack at the post - or any role in international football - in the future.

O'Leary said: "I would be interested in an international job, definitely, but a lot further on down the line from at present.

"We'd all love to manage our own country eventually and I hope, when you get all the club stuff out of the way, that it might happen.

"Hopefully you'd be asked which would be a great honour. If I was asked, then I'd love to do it further down the line but there are things to achieve at club level first.