Football Echo: I believe I can take the Welsh forward.

Byline: JOHN ALDRIDGE 

THIS week I applied for a managerial job for only the second time since leaving Tranmere three years ago. Having missed out on the Republic of Ireland job last year, the Welsh job is the only other vacancy since my days at Prenton Park which has tempted me.

I have had plenty of offers to move back into club management, but I have always stated that it would only be for a club of the right stature or a team with the right promise.

There is no doubting the current Wales squad is exceptionally talented. They have been knocking on the door of major championships in recent years.

But they have still not pushed on and achieved their promise. In many ways the situation is similar to the one Irish football was in before JackCharlton's appointment in 1987.

Having learned so much from a manager who proved to be one of international football's most successful in the last 20 years, I believe I could help Wales make that next step and play in a major championships for the first time since 1958.

My forte as a club boss was always my motivational skills and my manmanagement. That is an aspect of management which is even more important at international level, where creating a club atmosphere is so important.

Mark Hughes has done a good job improving the Welsh team and creating that kind of buzz in the last few years.

And with the experience I have gained both with Ireland, Liverpool and as boss at Tranmere, I am confident I could help maintain and accelerate that improvement. There is no doubting the players are there.