Kevin Kilbane believes Paul Jewell has all the credentials to be Republic of Ireland's new manager.
Wigan ace backs old boss for Irish job
Kevin Kilbane believes Paul Jewell has all the credentials to be Republic of Ireland's new manager.
Jewell is thought to be among the Football Association of Ireland's targets as they search for a replacement for Steve Staunton.
The former Wigan boss has refused to rule out going for the Ireland job after being sounded out by former Republic player-manager Johnny Giles.
Kilbane, who was signed by Jewell during his time in charge of Wigan, believes his former boss has a proven track record to be a success.
Forward-thinking
"Whether or not he wants it, I don't know," said Kilbane.
"But he signed me for Wigan, and I always got on well with him, so we will have to wait and see.
"Last season it all came down to the last game against Sheffield United, and probably his Wigan career will be judged on that.
"Prior to that he did so well, taking the club up from the old Second Division and winning promotion to the Premier League.
"He then kept them up, took them to the League Cup (final), so he has a good track record hasn't he?
"On the training ground, he was a forward-thinking coach, and he is a good man-motivator.
"But he's not indicated he wants the job. It's all speculation at the moment, with a number of top-quality candidates mentioned.
"I'm sure it will be sorted soon, and it will be good when it is."
Kilbane also revealed he has no plans to quit playing for his country despite their failure to qualify for Euro 2008.
Carrying on
"I'm definitely carrying on," insisted Kilbane.
"I'm 30 years of age. It's not as if I'm 35 or something like that.
"I feel as though I've still something to give, whether it be in or around the squad, I don't know what. We'll wait and see."
Kilbane admits the Irish need to improve if they want to be successful in their 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign.
"We certainly have to improve, and with the full squad we have, we need to keep everybody fit," he said.
"If we do that then I'm sure we will have a successful campaign in the World Cup qualifiers.
"At least whoever comes in - and they are all quality candidates - they will know they have good players here.
"We have to build, be in it for now, and be right for the World Cup campaign if we are to go forward."
