David Healy seems to have poured cold water on reports linking him with the vacant Northern Ireland manager's post.
Ian Baraclough was relieved of his duties by the Irish FA board on Thursday night and the Linfield boss has been one of the names mentioned to replace him alongside the likes of Michael O’Neill, Stephen Robinson, Tommy Wright and Neil Lennon.
Northern Ireland's record goal scorer has impressed since stepping into management with the Blues in 2015 winning five Irish League titles, two Irish Cups and the League Cup.
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But after narrowly missing out on a place in the group stages of the Europa Conference League the reigning champions have stuttered in their defence of the Gibson Cup so far this season and fell to a 4-2 defeat to current Danske Bank Premiership leaders Larne on Saturday.
Speaking after the game Healy said representing his country was "the pinnacle for me", but added there are others more qualified than him at this time to take the hot seat.
Healy said: “I represented Northern Ireland with, hopefully, great pride as a player. I played in games I probably shouldn’t have because I was injured. I played when I shouldn’t have travelled, but I wanted to play.
“Playing and representing your country is the pinnacle for me, I played for some incredible clubs along the way as a footballer, but managing Northern Ireland for any young aspiring footballer turned coach or manager would be a dream…
“Further down the line I’d imagine there’s a job there you’d want to take.
“At the minute, with the calibre of coaches and managers who will be linked to it, I’d imagine there will be quite a few more in demand who want the job.”
Baraclough had endured a tough run since replacing O'Neill in June 2020 with only four wins from 22 competitive matches.
However, the former Under-21s boss has helped blood a number of new players in the senior set-up, and Healy feels Northern Ireland will reap the rewards for this in the future.
"I’ve known him for four or five years now with his role in the Under-21s as well and you’re always disappointed when you see people leave their roles," said the Linfield boss.
“I am disappointed to see him go and I’d imagine there will be quite a few names linked to the job but whoever gets the job, first and foremost I’m a supporter and what the country to win.
“Probably for now, and we are all supporters and want Northern Ireland to win and perform, but unfortunately we haven’t got the desired results in the last few months.
“I’m hoping further down the line people will see he started the international careers of quite a few young players and he had the courage to put them in and he knew there would be pressure on to get results at the time, but he’s done it.
“Any time I’ve been in his company he’s been a brilliant fella, and I wish him well going forward.
“And I do hope when people see an international at the age of 24 or 25 and a well established international a few years from now, don’t be surprised if it was Ian Baraclough who gave him his first international cap."
St Mirren boss Robinson, who was interviewed for the role before Baraclough was appointed as O'Neill's successor two years ago, was also quizzed about the vacancy after his side’s 2-1 win over Dundee United on Saturday.
“I have had no contact whatsoever," said the 47-year-old.
"I have a hard enough job here without taking my focus off it. There isn’t contact so there’s no point speculating.”
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