91Èȱ¬

Roddy Collins has said that wants to become the new Derry City manager.

The former league and cup double winner with Bohemians and Shamrock Rovers manager has just led Athlone Town to promotion to the Premier Division.

However, the Dubliner told 91Èȱ¬ Radio Foyle he is available to talk to other clubs and that he would be honoured to take over at the Brandywell.

"Anyone with half a football brain would relish Derry's potential," said Collins, 52.

"I've been a free agent since the last game of the season. That was the arrangement (with Athlone).

"They want me to remain on in the job but I always made it clear that my ambition was to win the Premier League with the next club I get to.

"The lads at Athlone understand that is not going to be a possibility (with them) for a couple of years."

Collins believes that the new Derry manager will inherit a "great young squad of players" from previous boss Declan Devine who left the club by mutual consent last month.

"There is not too much needed to sort it out. In my opinion the potential is there to win the league, if not next year, definitely the year after."

Former Crusaders player Collins revealed that he has already held informal discussions with Derry officials and that he would be delighted to undertake a job interview for the post.

Both of last Sunday's FAI Cup managers Ian Baraclough and Mick Cooke are also being linked with the Candystripes role along with ex-Kilmarnock manager Kenny Shiels, former Luton and Grimsby manager Mike Newell and previous Derry caretaker boss Peter Hutton.