Breen - currently without a club in England (Allsport)
WORLD CUP IS A BREEN COME TRUE
By From Neil Silver, PA Sport, Seoul
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Most people at these World Cup finals will be reluctant to sift through their
pile of post on their return home in case they discover a pile of bills.
But when Gary Breen opens his front door and stares down at the doormat he is
likely to face a a more welcoming stack of letters . . . containing job offers
from clubs in the Premier League and around Europe.
Breen is classed as ``unattached'' on the World Cup squad lists because he has
no club to return to after parting company with Coventry at the end of last
season.
But after shining for the Republic of Ireland in the group stages there is
unlikely to be any shortage of clubs chasing his signature both at home and
abroad.
However, the 29-year-old defender is putting any thoughts about his future to
one side and is totally focused on helping Ireland beat Spain in Suwon tomorrow
for a place in the quarter-finals.
``I have told my agent not to ring me up and tell me if other clubs are in
contact,'' said Breen. ``I shall wait until I have finished playing in the World
Cup then go home and see what offers are on the table.
``I have a few options but I am concentrating solely on Ireland now and we
have got a massive game against Spain, and if we can win that it is all there
for us - anything can happen.''
Breen was hailed a potential star when he first joined Coventry five years
ago, but he fell out with the then manager Gordon Strachan and did not enjoy the
best of times.
But now he feels he has matured as a player and has got his career back on the
right track.
``As a centre half you probably get better as you get older and more
experienced, and I certainly feel comfortable at this level now.
``I was very disappointed the way certain things went at Coventry because I
expected to do well there and I made a decision to go there on the basis of
going with a young manager,'' he said.
``Unfortunately it didn't work out and our relationship wasn't great, personal
things got in the way of me being picked.
``I have been at Coventry for five years and I was offered a contract and
given a deadline by which to answer. But I wanted to concentrate on my football
rather than be forced to decide my future by a certain date.
``When I didn't sign that contract by the deadline they knew my future might
be elsewhere. I never turned the contract down and when people say I was
released it makes it sound like I was surplus to requirements, and I am not
convinced that was the case.''
Ireland might be the underdogs going into tomorrow's game, but Breen is
convinced Spain might be in for one or two surprises.
He said: ``It is an open World Cup and we have seen a few of the so-called big
teams go out. We are a difficult team to play against and I am not sure anyone
will want to meet us.
``I am aware of how good Spain are but if anyone writes us off they would be
fools. I'm sure Spain would have preferred an easier game in the last 16.
``Irish football has gone to another level under Mick McCarthy and we are
definitely a passing team now. Rarely does Shay Given kick it long. That style
was successful under Jack Charlton but as soon as Mick came in he encouraged us
to pass it, and the whole squad is comfortable on the ball.''
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