The prospect of Terry Venables landing the Republic of Ireland job remains a very real possibility after the Bulgarian FA appointed Plamen Markov as their new manager.

Venables was strongly linked with that role and was originally on a shortlist of seven candidates.  In recent days, however, the 65-year-old found himself in direct competition with Markov while Bulgarian officials reportedly deemed the Londoner's wage demands too high and ruled him out of the running.  
 
But it is the Ireland job that Venables is thought to be holding out for and the path is now clear for the former England, Barcelona and Leeds manager to succeed Steve Staunton as senior manager.
 
The FAI's three-man selection committee of Don Howe, Don Givens and Ray Houghton are entrusted with unearthing the new man and only recently spoke with Venables, who has been the bookmakers favourite from day one. 
 
It is likely the trio will recommend the 65-year-old for the position over the next 10 days.  The FAI's Board of Management could then ratify the appointment at their scheduled meeting on January 22nd, thereby allowing the new boss select a squad for the Brazil friendly at Croke Park on February 6th.
 
Venables has been linked with a number of jobs in recent months but, having recently left the England set-up where he was Steve McClaren's assistant, he has refused to rush into anything.
 
"I've had quite a lot of interest, which is great, but I'm not in a rush, so I'm just going to wait and see," he said before Christmas.  "If something comes along, fine. If it doesn't, fine."
 
Bulgaria are World Cup qualifying group rivals of the Republic of Ireland and Venables' appointment as Bulgaria manager would have been intriguing to say the least.
 
Markov, though, is entrusted with the task and he is no stranger to the international fold having managed Bulgaria before.  Indeed he led the team to the Euro 2004 finals in Portugal but resigned soon after.
 
He succeeds Bulgarian legend Hristo Stoichkov, who stepped down from the job in April, on a two-year contract.  Dimitar Penev has acted as caretaker since then.
 
"I am glad that Bulgarian Football Union president Borislav Mihailov has faith in me," he said.  "This is nothing new for me. I know the players and the team. There will be no major changes."