Ireland legend Richard Dunne chose his words carefully when quizzed on his name being linked with the vacant managerial job at Bohemians.
The 43-year-old appeared on TV in his regular guise as a pundit for Virgin Media for their coverage of the evening's Nations League action.
And sure enough, prior to the game between France and Austria getting underway, host Tommy Martin addressed the elephant in the room which had been caused by a report in The Irish Sun. It had stated that Dunne is in the running to take over at Dalymount Park.
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But Dunne said simply: "There's not a lot to tell. It's speculation in a newspaper and it's not the worst story I've heard about myself I suppose!
"It's one of those things that happens....as an ex-international you are going to get linked with stuff from time to time."
The ex Man City captain was then asked whether he is generally interested in getting involved in management.
To which he replied: "Yeah so for the last six or seven years I've been coaching in France and England.
"I've done my coaching badges - have just finished my pro license - so I think it's now time to test myself at a higher level so if something does come up, I'd be interested."
When pressed on what kind of club he would find attractive, he added: "Something that's a good challenge and a project with a team that wants to be progressive and wants to move forward.
"Something like that that you can effect and make a difference in. That's something that would appeal to me."
While such a big name taking charge would be a shot in the arm for the Phibsboro outfit, it would be the riskier option given how the two other rumoured candidates in interim boss Derek Pender and Vinny Perth boast so much more League of Ireland experience.
Aside from those stints coaching underage sides, the only real coaching role Dunne has occupied is a short spell with the Ireland U16s.
Bohs' next appointment is crucial as the club has entered a real period of transition with several of their most promising players having been snapped up by clubs both at home and abroad.
They are currently languishing in sixth place and just this week were knocked out of the FAI Cup by Shelbourne and a longtime international teammate of Dunne's in Damien Duff.
To compound matters, the pitiful nature of their performance drew a furious response from their travelling support when a section of their players went over at full-time to applaud them for showing up.
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