Saturday 11 March 2017 20:07, UK
Interim Norwich boss Alan Irvine has ruled himself out of the running for the full-time position at Carrow Road after he oversaw a 2-2 draw with Blackburn on Saturday.
Irvine has also been asked to take charge of next Saturday's game at Barnsley after Alex Neil was dismissed on Friday, but does not want the job on a full-time basis.
"I will not be applying for the job," he said. "When I was brought in here I made it clear to Alex I was not a threat as it might have looked that way with my age and experience. I can't say that to him and then say I want his job when he leaves, that wouldn't be right."
However, the former Blackburn player and assistant manager admitted that he has enjoyed working at the club and would be interested in extending his stay in East Anglia, albeit in a less prominent role.
"If the club want me to stay in some capacity going forward I would certainly be interested in that because it's a great club, but not as manager. My thoughts at the moment are for Alex. I have thoroughly enjoyed working with him and have never regretted moving 250 miles from home to come here.
"As staff we are extremely disappointed for him but I'm sure he will bounce back. He's a talented young manager and I'm sure you will see him back in the game soon."
The match, that took place less than 24 hours after Neil's sacking, was an eventful affair, with the Canaries going ahead on 18 minutes through Cameron Jerome's first goal of the game, only to be reduced to 10 men three minutes later.
Dutch defender Mitchell Dijks was shown a straight red card for a shin high challenge on Marvin Emnes, but the Canaries coped well until the introduction of Lucas Joao as a second-half substitute for Blackburn.
The big Portuguese frontman tapped home from close range to get Rovers back on terms in the 73rd minute and headed home at the back post four minutes later to put them in front. It was Norwich who had the final say, however, Jerome firing home his second via a slight deflection.
