Roy Keane has claimed that though he admires new Republic of Ireland manager Brian Kerr and the job he is doing with the national side, animosity between him and some of the current players, as well as medical concerns, have all but ruled out a return to the international scene.
The Manchester United captain claims made his decision on medical grounds after a hip operation last year but went on to say that there may still be players there who he would not like to play alongside.
Keane quit the international stage following an on-going dispute with Kerr's predecessor Mick McCarthy which came to a head at the 2002 World Cup.
Keane was critical about the way they prepared for matches - and especially the training facilities.
However, after chatting to his Old Trafford team-mate, Ireland defender John O'Shea, he feels the national side are moving in the right direction.
Keane said: "When Brian took over the temptation was to go back because I knew things would be done properly. But after getting medical advice I feel I have made the right decision.
"Brian has come in and done a very good job but they always seemed to be playing catch-up after losing the first two games of the Euro 2004 qualifiers.
"The best teams always qualify and Switzerland and Russia deserved to go through on merit. I watched some of the games and I think I could definitely do a job for the team.
"Then again there are one or two players who I wouldn't fancy playing with because of what happened before.
"Because I feel okay in myself now it doesn't mean I have forgotten what the surgeon told me about how important it is to rest my hip.
"From what I hear they are definitely more professional. John tells me they are getting looked after. So at least something good came out of what happened.
Keane also admitted to the Manchester United Magazine that he has cleaned up his act on the pitch.
"It's about bloody time," said the Corkman. "There have been bookings, sendings-off, not to mention the fines which are a killer.
"That's not to say it won't happen again. Eventually all these things come together and you think `What's the point?'
"I was really frustrated with the referee at Chelsea (where United conceded a penalty). Okay I argued my case but compare the way I went about it to the penalty against Middlesbrough a few years ago.
"Then I went chasing after the referee. I was a bit crazy. Hopefully I have more control now.
Keane is eager to move into coaching when he retires and intends getting his badges while still playing.
"I definitely see myself as a manager eventually. It is getting much stricter and there are lots of qualifications.
"I will need a UEFA B and A licence and the new pro managers' licence before I can even think about getting a job.
"With the right qualifications I can go for a job straight away if I want to. I would like to think further down the line I could be a good manager."