FAI sources last night dismissed suggestions he had been given first refusal on the Republic of Ireland job.

The former Newcastle manager was reported yesterday to have said the job was his to turn down. Don Givens had said on Thursday evening he had a call from a journalist who gave him Allardyce's agent's phone number which, the caller said, the agent wanted him to have as the manager "might be interested" in the job. There has, it was insisted last night, however, been no contact between the FAI or any of its representatives with Allardyce or any of his representatives.