Gerard Houllier remains a live contender for the vacant Republic of Ireland job after rejecting a move to South Korea.

The former Liverpool boss was shortlisted with Mick McCarthy but the former Ireland manager ruled himself out of the running yesterday by committing to Wolves.

But, according to a Korean Football Association spokesman, the bid to land Houllier only failed because the Frenchman's family was against the move.

"The negotiations broke off after we got to the final signing stage," a KFA official said.  "Houllier had agreed on the deal but the French football association and his family were against it."

This indicates that Houllier is willing to quit his post as technical director to the French Football association. He was quoted last week saying it would be difficult to leave his current employers.

Houllier, though, does not have too many backers among the FAI's board of management who view the 60-year-old as a superb tactician and student of the game but a poor man-manager.

South Korea are looking for a new boss following Pim Verbeek departure.  The Dutchman today landed the Australia job - a role that Irish candidate Philippe Troussier interviewed for in Sydney this week.