Joe Royle has told Irish Football Association chiefs he is no longer interested in becoming manager of Northern Ireland. The former Oldham and Everton manager conveyed his decision in a telephone call to IFA president Jim Boyce.

"I was honoured just to be considered," said Royle, but I feel I want to retain a day-to-day involvement in the game."

The one-time England striker has already been linked with the vacancy at First Division Bradford, who yesterday dismissed Chris Kamara as manager.