IPSWICH Town manager Mick McCarthy admits he sees himself going back into international management one day.

The 53-year-old took over from Paul Jewell at the start of last month with the Blues bottom of the Championship table, but a return of 13 points from a possible 21 – including recent back-to-back wins against Nottingham Forest and Bolton – has seen the club move five points clear of the relegation zone.

He recently refused to discuss speculation that his contract at Portman Road includes a clause which enables him to return to his previous job in charge of the Republic of Ireland though.

“I love the club management, the day-to-day involvement with players and everything that goes with it but yes I do see myself going back if I get the opportunity,” said McCarthy, speaking in an interview with Yahoo, sponsors of the League Managers’ Association.

“That is not necessarily to the Republic of Ireland – other international jobs would appeal to me. I think it is a great challenge, great working at that level and I really enjoyed it when I did, but for now I love being at Ipswich.”

Yorkshire-born McCarthy earned 57 caps for the Republic of Ireland as a centre-back due to the fact his father originated from the Emerald Isle and was then handed the manager’s job in 1998 following his early career success with Millwall.

And after narrowly missing out on places at the 1998 World Cup and 2000 European Championships, he gained qualification to the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea – the nation’s first major tournament in eight years.

A public spat with captain Roy Keane may have split supporters’ opinions on their boss, but progress through the group and a narrow penalty shoot-out defeat to Spain saw McCarthy win the majority over.

Asked if there was more pressure having the expectations of a nation on your shoulders, McCarthy – who went on to earn promotion to the Premier League with Sunderland and Wolves – said: “If you stop and think about it like that then yes, but the reality is that you are thinking about your players, your team and winning games. Whether it is getting promoted, staying in a league or to qualify for a European Championship or World Cup you are effectively thinking about your team.

“Whether you’re at Manchester United or Ipswich or Brazil or Scotland there are different levels of expectancy and if you let it get to you that is a problem. You just need to concentrate on the job in hand.”

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