Irv: Why I don’t want to stick the knife in Al
ALAN IRVINE ruled himself out of the running for the vacant manager’s job at Norwich after the draw against Blackburn.
Irvine has also been asked to take charge of Saturday’s game at Barnsley after Alex Neil was dismissed on Friday but does not want the role 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.
“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 after 18 minutes through Cameron Jerome’s first goal of the game, only to be reduced to 10 men three minutes later.
Defender Mitchell Dijks was shown a straight red card for a shin-high challenge on Marvin Emnes.
The Canaries coped well with that setback until the introduction of Lucas Joao as a second-half substitute for Blackburn.
The 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.
Blackburn boss Tony Mowbray said: “I am disappointed to only come away with a point. “