BLUES boss Jim Magilton has again said he is not interested in taking the Northern Ireland job at this stage of his career.Magilton was quoted in Ireland as saying that he agreed that the role of international manager could be done on a part-time basis - but he was not putting himself forward as a candidate.

By Derek Davis

BLUES boss Jim Magilton has again said he is not interested in taking the Northern Ireland job at this stage of his career.

Magilton was quoted in Ireland as saying that he agreed that the role of international manager could be done on a part-time basis - but he was not putting himself forward as a candidate.

He said: “As I said before I am nowhere near ready to take the Ireland job whether it is full-time or part-time. I am fully focussed on my job at Portman Road.”

The Irish FA are drawing up a short-list and hope to have someone in place by the end of June.

Northern Ireland are leading their Euro 2008 qualifying group and their next match is against Liechtenstein in August.

The EADT first revealed in March that the Irish FA were considering Magilton as a possible candidate when it was unclear whether or not Lawrie Sanchez would be staying on.

Magilton said then that he was flattered at being linked but did not feel ready and was focusing on getting Ipswich promoted next season.

Magilton, who won 52 international caps, believes whoever takes over has a great chance of success.

He said: “The team is on a high, but that only makes it better for whoever comes in. Who knows what might happen if they do make it?

“It could really drive the team on - it is still a young team and they could go on to achieve more over the next few years.

“The foundations have been laid, the building blocks are there and it's just a case of setting them up in the right way to develop things even more in the next couple of years.”