New Fulham boss Roy Hodgson today revealed he was interviewed for the vacant Republic of Ireland manager's job.
The Football Association of Ireland contacted the former Inter Milan boss two weeks ago as part of their search for Steve Staunton's successor.
But Hodgson, 60, ruled himself out of the running by accepting an offer from Barclays Premier League club Fulham.
"There was contact from Ireland. It came at the same time as Fulham got in touch. But I was not offered the job," he said. "I had a meeting with the people who were given the task of finding the next Ireland coach.
"It was a good meeting and I was very happy with the way things went, but I don't know if it would have led to me being offered the job. The people who saw me were meeting the other candidates as well."