Martin O'Neill is ready for a return to management, just over a month after leaving his post as Republic of Ireland boss.
O'Neill left the job by mutual consent after five years in charge, with results deteriorating fast during his final 12 months in the position. Ireland fans were unhappy with the team's complete absence of any attacking threat, with the manager's tactics coming under heavy criticism.
There was a strong feeling that the game had somewhat passed O'Neill by, with his old school methods no longer a fit in the modern game.
Despite this, the 67-year old appears ready to step into a new role. He told The Daily Telegraph:
That drive, the determination, is there. I hate that phrase 'recharge my batteries'. I don't need to. I'm ready. I know I'm a good manager and I will always back myself, in whatever job I take next.
There's a perception now that I'm not only too old, but that I'm on the outside looking in. There's an age element to it, but people also believe you've closed your mind to things. It couldn't be farther from the truth. I've still got things to do in this game. My mind remains open.
I remember Chelsea players talking about (Jose) Mourinho and how well prepared he was, how everything was dossiered. It wasn't too long ago that he won the league - and don't forget he won a couple of trophies at Old Trafford - that he was the way forward. And I'm not an apologist for Mourinho. Far from it.
There's always a new kid on the block but, to be told these things are supposedly dated now, well, I'd probably feel the same irritation. You can be labelled so quickly in this game.
What jobs would be available to O'Neill is unclear, although a gig in The Championship is the most likely outcome.
