O'Leary wants Irish job

David O'Leary has reiterated his ambition of becoming manager of the Republic of Ireland at some stage - but only after he completes "unfinished business" in the club game.

O'Leary was axed as Villa chief in the summer after a difficult three-year tenure, having previously parted company with Leeds in acrimonious circumstances.

Nonetheless, his achievement in guiding the Elland Road club to the Champions League semi-finals in 2001 remains a spectacular feat - and he would relish a return to management when the right offer comes along before graduating to the Ireland job when his career in the club game is at an end.

He said: "I hope one day to be able to manage my country and that would be the icing on the cake for me when you have finished in senior club positions.

"That's what you dream about but for me it's about getting day-to-day management out of my system first.

"You hear Jose Mourinho talking about wanting to manage Portugal eventually - that's what I always wanted to do but I feel I have unfinished business at club level first.

"I want to return to management but it's got to be the right job. I've enjoyed my break because Villa was a hard job, it was a demanding club to manage. The last year there was very hard, because it was a time when they were trying to sell the club."