Stephen Bradley says he’d love to follow Stephen Kenny into the Ireland job some day but his focus for now is fully on Shamrock Rovers.
The Hoops boss turned down an offer from League One Lincoln City on Friday as he insists he has unfinished business in Tallaght, starting with Europe and winning a third league title.
Bradley says he still has ambitions to manage abroad but the ultimate dream would be to emulate his fellow Tallaght man by taking charge of the national team.
He said: “Why not? I think it's the pinnacle of any manager's career. It's fantastic to see Stephen doing it now, coming from the league. If anyone was offered an Ireland job, you would run there.”
The champions ran out 3-1 winners over Finn Harps on Friday night to move within one point of league leaders Derry City.
A brace from Danny Mandroiu - taking him to five for the campaign - and Roberto Lopes’ first of the season saw the Hoops to a comfortable win.
It brought to a conclusion an emotional week for the Jobstown man, who lost his grandmother Emily during the week.
“It was obviously hectic. What happened me nanny and then obviously Lincoln. It was emotional and really, really busy,” Bradley said.
“I was very close to her. It was my mother's mother, Emily. She was 97, incredible. She was a great influence on me.
“[With] talks going on with both clubs in terms of myself, it was just really, really busy, and draining really.”
Lincoln’s sporting director and CEO flew to Dublin to meet Bradley, and he also spoke to them over Zoom, as they were keen to build a long-term project.
After consulting his family and captain Ronan Finn, he ultimately decided he still had more work to do at Rovers.
“I had a good chat with Lincoln and they're really good people, really good club, really good plans. They're set up for success.
“And obviously I spoke to the board here and the players here. I just felt there's more to be done here.
“Last night I just sat down with the people around me, had a good chat, and I just felt this is where I need to be.
“The Rovers board were understanding of the position I was in when Lincoln came in which was good in terms of how it was dealt with.
“They were really respectful and allowed me to speak to Lincoln. The club always stated that under no circumstance did they want to lose me.
“When I sat down and spoke to them it was a really good conversation and really reaffirmed that I feel we can go and keep improving and striving to be better.
“I have a real hunger and ambitions to manage at different levels and in different countries. I have a timeline in my head and it remains in my head.
“It's something I want to do without a shadow of a doubt. Please God, everything going well, that will happen in the future. It might not, but you make decisions and you live with them.”
Bradley is well aware that he might face criticism from some quarters for turning down the opportunity but he knows his own mind and doesn’t worry about what others say.
“I don't live my life or I don't make decisions based on people's opinions. They are allowed to have an opinion because of the job I'm in, it's out there in the public eye.
“So I understand everyone has an opinion on it and that's fine with me. But I don't make decisions or have to justify what I do or think to anyone.
“If I did that, I would never have taken this job so young. I would have never retired so young. I understand where I want to go and how I want to get there.
“I understand and respect that everyone has an opinion on it. That's the way it is. That's football. But that doesn't come into my decision making, or it doesn't annoy me.
“If I had listened to certain people, I would never stop playing at 26 and I would have never taken this job so young. I know where I want to go and how to get there.”
