MATT Holland has not applied for the vacant manager’s job at Colchester United.

The former Ipswich Town legend appears to have ruled himself out of the running to replace Paul Lambert, who quit last week to take over at Norwich City.

The U’s have received more than 30 serious applications for the post and some fans have suggested the club should turn to a young up-and coming coach like Holland or Mark Kinsella.

Chief executive Steve Bradshaw suggested in yesterday’s Gazette that they have received applications from ‘younger ex-players who are new to a coaching capacity’.

However, Holland, who lives on the outskirts of Colchester, told the Gazette: “I haven’t applied for it.

“Maybe in the future it’s the kind of thing that might interest me but not at this present moment in time.”

Holland may continue playing for another season but is also very busy with his various media commitments.

He covered the Aston Villa versus Liverpool Barclays Premier League game for American broadcaster ESPN on Monday and was due to be at Southampton versus Birmingham last night, working for BBC Radio 5 Live.

On Saturday, he will be a studio guest for ESPN’s coverage of the Milan derby.

“I’m doing lots of media work at the moment and it’s something I really enjoy,” said Holland, who played and scored for the Republic of Ireland at the 2002 World Cup in Japan and Korea.

Meanwhile, Holland, who was a Town hero from 1997 until moving to Charlton in 2003, remains confident Roy Keane will revive fortunes at Portman Road.

The Blues have made a dreadful start to the new season, losing three of their opening four Coca-Cola Championship matches.

Keane and Holland were Ireland team-mates and the latter said: “I’m fairly convinced he’ll turn things round.

“It’s still early in the season and it takes time to get things right.

“Roy will be assessing his squad all the time and he won’t be afraid to make changes.”

Holland left Charlton at the end of last season and, in order to keep himself fit, was given permission to train with the U’s at the Five Lakes Golf and Country Club in July.