IAN RUSH last night outlined why he turned down the chance to become manager of Wales to stay at Chester.
The City manager decided not to take up the offer of succeeding Mark Hughes as Welsh boss and pledged his immediate future to the club.
Rush feels he still has a job to do at the Coca-Cola League Two side, and while the lure of his country's top job was great, the former Liverpool legend has decided to continue the work he has started at Bumpers Lane.
He said: "It was flattering to be linked with the Welsh managerial position, but at the moment it possibly isn't the right time for me.
"I have only been here at Chester for three months, and I think I still have a big job to do here."
Rush continued: "I have an excellent chairman here at Chester who I get on with extremely well. I combine my duties here with coaching the Welsh under-17 side, and that all keeps me extremely busy.
"I am ambitious and to manage your country is the ultimate accolade for any manager, so who knows what the future holds.
"The timing of this opportunity wasn't ideal for me, it's a bit like a bus I suppose, sometimes you don't see one for ages, then three come along at the same time."
Chester chairman Stephen Vaughan and Rush are holding a press conference at the club's Bumpers Lane ground this lunchtime, when the media will be given the opportunity to ask questions about the latest developments.
Rush and his assistant Mark Aizlewood joined Chester at the end of August and turned the club's fortunes around, embarking on a 10-match unbeaten run which lifted the club up to a mid-table position.
Rush said: "I have a good squad here at Chester, but the chairman has said to me that if I want to bring players in I can do, we will just have to wait and see if there are any developments that way."
Meanwhile John Toshack is now the red-hot favourite to land the Wales job.
The former Liverpool striker looks almost certain to be offered the top role in Welsh football after Rush and Dick Advocaat yesterday dropped out of the race to succeed Hughes.
Dutchman Advocaat was yesterday unveiled as the new manager of German side Borussia Monchengladbach, leaving Toshack as the clear favourite for the role.
Some senior Wales players have made it known that they would be unhappy with his appointment due to his criticism of the side in the media, but the FAW will not bow to player power.
Although Frenchman Phillipe Troussier yesterday confirmed that he is interested in the post, the former Japan coach is thought to be a long way behind Toshack in terms of support on the FAW council.
The remaining contenders on the six-man shortlist are ex-Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier, who is thought to be interested in the role, and surprise choice Dean Saunders.
The ex-Wales international is a coach at Newcastle and has no managerial experience.
Former Wrexham boss Brian Flynn has privately given up on his dream of leading his country, although yesterday's developments could give him a last-ditch opportunity to impress the interview panel.
