Leeds manager Brian McDermott has ruled himself out of the running for the vacant Republic of Ireland manager's job.
McDermott, 52, was a leading contender to succeed Giovanni Trapattoni, who ended his five-year tenure by mutual consent on Wednesday following the Republic's World Cup qualifying defeat in Austria.
Football Association of Ireland chief executive John Delaney had confirmed that McDermott was high on their list of possible replacements for Trapattoni, while the former Reading boss, whose parents are both Irish, stated publicly last year that it was a lifetime's ambition to take on the role.
McDermott spoke of his "immense pride" at having been linked with the post at a press conference on Thursday, but confirmed he would be staying put at Leeds, where he succeeded Neil Warnock as manager in April.
"My reaction is immense pride more than anything," McDermott said. "I was sat with my very good friend last night in my flat and we were looking at the Sky Bet odds - Martin O'Neill was top and I was second.
"If you consider I've been a manager now at this level for four years and to get to that, for me, there's nothing but pride.
"So I'm probably doing something right, which is good, and everybody knows what I feel about Ireland, my family, my history and how important that is to me.
"So those would be the words that I would use - incredible pride."
When asked if he wanted the job, or would be offered the job, McDermott said: "No. My situation is that one day I want to manage the Republic of Ireland, but at this moment I'm at a fantastic football club.
"I've kind of been adopted here and feel I owe this club and I owe these supporters.
Source: PA
