Linfield boss David Healy insists he won’t be distracted by speculation linking him with the Northern Ireland job following Michael O’Neill’s decision to take up the reins at Stoke City.
Healy is 5/1 with some bookies to succeed O’Neill who takes control of the Potters for the first time against fellow Championship strugglers Barnsley on Saturday.
The 40-year-old freely admits his ultimate ambition is to manage his country one day, but insists he is fully focused on progressing his career with the Windsor Park club.
Speaking after Friday night’s 1-1 draw with Dundalk in the Unite the Union Champions Cup in Belfast, Healy said: “It absolutely won’t be a distraction at all.
“My main focus is Linfield . I was never a player who was distracted about moving to other clubs and that will remain the same as a manager.
“Linfield have been fantastic for me. This was my dream job and I was privileged and honoured to be given the opportunity to manage this club in my first job.
“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it here and there is a lot of work still to be done and unfinished business for me, starting with Monday night’s return leg against Dundalk.”
Northern Ireland’s record goal scorer, who retired in 2013, says he would love to manage his country “eventually somewhere down the line”.
“The ultimate aim for an aspiring, young manager is to go and manage your country,” he said. “But I’ve been given a fantastic opportunity at Linfield and I love the challenge here.
“Hopefully I have repaid the chairman and board at Linfield and hopefully I have repaid the fans and maybe the majority of people think I’ve done OK.”
Healy believes Stoke City, who are rooted to the foot of the Championship, are fortunate to have O’Neill as their new manager.
“I wish Michael well at Stoke and in my opinion they should be thankful,” he said. “I’m sure he will be a big success there and I think they are very lucky to have him.
“Maybe some Stoke fans might think different but in my opinion they are very lucky to have a manager as meticulous and organised as Michael.”
Reflecting on the fact his final Northern Ireland cap came near the start of O’Neil’s reign, Healy joked: “What he did was clear the deadwood out - people who needed to move on.
“Sometimes Michael and I have a laugh about whether I retired or he retired me. We leave it debatable, but the job he has done for Northern Ireland is incredible.
“To go from where we were and sometimes turning up and not enjoying international games, I now go to games as a fan and enjoy the way the team plays.
“On a personal level, Michael was good for me in my younger coaching days and I would speak to him regularly at times about different issues, so I wish him well.”
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