SOCCER/International news: While he attempted to focus the media's thoughts on yesterday's unveiling of plans for the redevelopment of Lansdowne Road, rather than on the future, or otherwise, of Brian Kerr as senior international manager, John Delaney, chief executive of the Football Association of Ireland, conceded the latter issue, which could be resolved at this evening's meeting of the FAI's Board of Management, was currently occupying the bulk of his thoughts.

"I'm spending two days a week on this at the moment, as part of my day-to-day activities," he said, when asked about the redevelopment of Lansdowne Road.

"But in relation to your other three days of the week . . .," came the response, in reference to Kerr's position.

Before the question could be completed Delaney pointed out that this particular issue was, in fact, taking up the remaining five days of his week, not three. Every waking hour, perhaps.

Delaney, though, would not directly comment on Kerr's position, simply reiterating that the board of management would meet today to "discuss all aspects of football on an operational basis, the stadium, and all aspects of non-qualification for the World Cup".

The latter issue, one assumes, will be the chief topic of discussion for the 10 members of the board of management this evening.

But Delaney, again, would not comment when asked if Kerr would be given an opportunity to address the FAI sub-committee, made up of Delaney, president David Blood and honorary secretary Michael Cody, set up to review the World Cup qualifying campaign.

"If there are aspects of that board meeting which require to be relayed to the public and the media we will certainly do so, in due course," he said, while not ruling out an announcement about Kerr's position immediately after the meeting.

Asked if he had spoken to Kerr since last Wednesday night the chief executive confirmed he had not.

"I've spoken to many people," he said. "I spoke to all the backroom staff and the players here (Lansdowne Road) last Wednesday night and after I went on to the post-match function, I met with Chris Hughton, Packie (Bonner), Brian and some of the players.

"Everyone was hugely disappointed, frankly I think the World Cup will be a lesser event with Ireland not there.

"There are graphs in how we perform, we're a small country of four million people, always remember that. I think we achieved huge success in qualifying for three of the last four World Cups, our aim is to get the graph at the highest level going forward, that's hugely important to us," he said.

While there has been a widespread assumption Delaney would like nothing more than to appoint Alex Ferguson as Kerr's successor, the Manchester United manager yesterday laughed off comments attributed to Denis Irwin in the Daily Star.

"My very reliable sources say there has been contact between the FAI and my old boss," Irwin was quoted as telling the paper. "Of course he's denying it, he's under contract to United, but that doesn't mean he won't be the Republic manager when our next competitive games come round. He would be a brilliant choice. Alex would never manage England, so Ireland, a country and people he knows well, would be the one for him."

Ferguson, though, having insisted at the weekend his current job would be his last in football, dismissed the story.

"I don't know where these things start," he said.

"Denis has told me he has not spoken to anyone and doesn't know where it has come from. It is the usual nonsense. I made the point last week, after this job I'm finished. It is important to clarify this.

"Ireland have already got a manager. I don't think it is nice to be linked to a job that someone is already in."