The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) has denied making an approach to former Japan coach Philippe Troussier, to succeed Mick McCarthy as manager of the Ireland national team.

Troussier, who resigned from the Japan job after the last World Cup, claimed yesterday that he had been approached by five or six teams, including Ireland.

But the FAI said it had not approached Troussier or anybody else about the vacant position.

‘We’re still in the process of appointing an adviser in this matter,’ an FAI spokesman said.

Other than Troussier, several managers have been linked with post, including Kenny Dalglish, Joe Kinnear, David O’Leary and John Aldridge.