The Football Association of Ireland claim Terry Venables has not been offered the Republic of Ireland managers job despite a national radio report suggesting as much this evening.

The former England boss is the bookmakers favourite to succeed Steve Staunton but is now also one of seven contenders for the vacant Bulgaria job.

Bulgaria, among the Republic's group rivals for World Cup qualification, are looking for a new manager following Hristo Stoichkov's decision to quit in April.

Borislav Mihaylov, the president of the Bulgarian football association, said he has had talks with Venables and is now awaiting his decision.

"I don't want to reveal the names of the foreign coaches we've talked to because we're still negotiating with them," said Mihaylov.

"But I can tell you we've held talks with Macedonia coach Srecko Katanec and we're waiting for Terry Venables's answer as well."

The FAI's three-man selection committee of Don Givens, Don Howe and Ray Houghton are also scheduled to discuss the Ireland job with Venables.

But the FAI has dismissed a Today FM report that the position has already been offered to the Londoner.

"The report, which is being broadcast on Today FM, is not true," said a spokesman for the association.

"At present, the panel, which was set up to recruit the new senior team manager, is in the process of contacting potential candidates to set up interviews and it is completely erroneous to suggest that somebody has been offered the position."

But Venables has already told close friends he would be interested in succeeding Staunton.

The 64-year-old was most recently working as assistant to former England boss Steve McClaren but was relieved of his duties after England failed to reach Euro 2008.