Troussier managed Japan in the 2002 World Cup finals

The Football Association of Ireland terminated Staunton's contract on Tuesday and David O'Leary is the early bookies favourite for the job.

Frenchman Troussier told BBC Sport that the Republic job would represent "an exciting challenge".

"I'm already thinking about the 2010 World Cup in Africa," added Troussier.

The 52-year-old guided Japan to the second round of 2002 World Cup finals and was in charge of South Africa at the 1998 finals in France.

He has been out of football since abruptly stepping down as Morocco boss in January 2006 but the former Olympique Marseille coach is now keen to return to top-flight management.

I have a lot of managerial experience behind me Philippe Troussier

Troussier went close to landing the Republic job in 2003 prior to Brian Kerr's appointment and the Frenchman told BBC Sport that he is currently mulling over a job offer from an unnamed African Federation.

"Right now I am open to suggestions. I'm available.

"I have a lot of managerial experience behind me, more than 200 matches at the highest level and managed at two World Cups."

The Frenchman has lived in Morocco for the last 15 years and after converting to Islam last year, he and his wife Dominique adopted two local children.

However, Troussier says that he's now ready to return to football management.

"Two years in a career is nothing and I am now 52 years old, not too old, not too young and the right age to take on a new challenge.

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"Of course, it's not easy for a federation to decide to take a foreign manager.

"But I have been living in Morocco for more than 15 years and during that time, I worked in South Africa, Nigeria, Japan and Marseille.

"It's not a problem to live in Morocco or Paris or London. Ireland's an international country and it's not difficult to move around."

Troussier has also had spells in charge of Nigeria, the Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso and Qatar as well as several club jobs in his native France.

Other names being linked with the Republic position include current Finland manager Roy Hodgson, Dutch Under-21 manager Foppe de Haan, ex-Republic striker John Aldridge, Graeme Souness and former Wigan manager Paul Jewell.