Jim McGuinness has quashed speculation linking him with various vacancies in Gaelic football.
The former All-Ireland-winning Donegal manager has been touted as a possible successor to Stephen Rochford, who stepped down as Mayo’s manager this week.
The Glenties man had previously been mooted as a candidate in Cavan.
However, McGuinness has moved to dampen any hopes that he might return to Gaelic football any time soon.
“Not at the moment, definitely not,” was his firm response when asked tonight at Off The Ball’s All-Ireland preview event at Croke Park.
Instead, McGuinness said he is focussed on getting a job in soccer management.
He said: “For myself, it’s been a long journey of development in another sport. It is a massive challenge, there’s no doubt about that.
“I’m ready to take a managerial position (in soccer). The most important thing is not about getting a club, it’s about getting the right club.
“I’m excited. I’ve recently got a lot closer in mind how I see the game, how the game will be coached, how the game will be trained.”
McGuinness was hired by Celtic owner Dermot Desmond after leading Donegal to the All-Ireland in 2012.
He worked initially as a psychologist before taking a more hands-on coaching role with the development teams at Celtic and subsequently moved to become assistant manager at Beijing Sinobo Guoan.
McGuinness has completed his UEFA A Licence and aims to start his ProLicence before Christmas.
He spent a fortnight in New York working with the New York Red Bulls this year, while he had been mentioned as a front-runner to take over at Galway United, although that didn’t materialise.
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