Trapattoni's Republic of Ireland came close to World Cup qualification

Republic of Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni has ruled himself out of taking over as Nigeria coach, according to the Italian news agency Ansa.

Trapattoni admitted that he has been approached over several jobs but said that he has two more years with Ireland and is happy in his current role.

The news comes after his advisor, Domenico Ricci, said Trapattoni might be interested in coaching Nigeria.

Ricci added that Trappatoni also rejected an offer from Ivory Coast.

"He refused an offer from Ivory Coast a week ago because they offered him only the World Cup," Ricci told BBC Sport.

Nigeria are on the hunt for a coach to lead them at the 2010 World Cup finals after firing coach Shaibu Amodu a week ago.

Trapattoni is the latest person to rule themselves out of leading the Super Eagles at the World Cup in South Africa.

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Egypt coach Hassan Shehata and Bayern Munich coach Louis Van Gaal were the first to say they were not interested in the job.

The other names on the Nigeria Football Federation's wish-list are former Senegal boss Bruno Metsu, ex-Ghana coach Ratomir Dujkovic, one-time England caretaker manager Peter Taylor and Guus Hiddink, who is currently in charge of Russia.

The NFF has pledged to reach a decision by the end of February.

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