Roy Hodgson, one of the leading contenders for the Republic of Ireland job, has quit his post as Finland manager. However, if the FAI are interested in the 60-year-old they would want to move swiftly.

He has refused to rule out a return to international management but is due to take up a non-managerial role with Inter Milan, working alongside club chairman Massimo Moratti, in January.

"If a national team wanted to have me they would have to be a) very quick and b) persuade the president to get rid of me before he even takes me on," Hodgson said.

"They (Ireland) would have to contact me if they were interested," he added. "I feel these days that with so many jobs open that every time you open your mouth you're either turning it down or claiming you want it, and I don't want to do either.

"I could never say no to things, it would be very foolish to claim you wouldn't be interested."

Hodgson - who is also in the frame to take over from sacked England coach Steve McClaren or departed Scotland manager Alex McLeish - narrowly missed out on bringing Finland to the 2008 European Championships in Austria and Switzerland after he led the side to third behind qualifiers Portugal and Poland.

On the way Finland amassed 24 points, one more than England and seven more than Steve Staunton's squad and the same as Scotland.

"The FA would have liked to have continued working with Roy Hodgson with whom Finland went so close to qualifying for the Euro 2008 finals," a Finnish FA statement read today, adding that the Englishman would help choose a successor.

Earlier this week Hodgson distanced himself from the England job, telling the BBC: "I'll only give my opinion if I receive an offer or an invitation to speak to someone."

The Englishman is a hugely experienced manager, having won titles in Denmark and Sweden and managed sides in England, Norway and Switzerland. He also succeeded in taking the Swiss national side to the 1994 World Cup in America and Euro '96 in England.

Former England manager Terry Venables remains the firm favourite for the Ireland job despite such speculation being played down by the FAI.