Hughton not interested in Ireland job

“No [not interested in Ireland job]. What I am very interested in is the job that I am doing here. I have got a group of players that have worked very hard to get into this division and that is where all my thoughts and concentrations are”.

Those are the words of Brighton & Hove Albion manager Chris Hughton when questioned about the possibility of him taking over as the new Republic of Ireland manager.

Speculation has been running rampant in regards to who could possibly replace Martin O’Neill, although Hughton certainly knows where his priorities are as he attempts to guide the Seagulls towards survival for a second consecutive season.

It’s all the better that he isn’t interested, too, because reports are just coming in that Mick McCarthy is in the advanced stages of talks to return to the role – and an announcement could be made as quickly as the weekend.