RODDY Collins has declared an interest in  vacant hotseat at Derry City.

The Candystripes parted company with Declan Devine last week, while Collins recently led Athlone Town to the First Division title.

Collins' position with the Midlands was thrown into doubt on Wednesday when the club advertised for the position of first team manager.

While the club insisted that they wanted Collins to remain, it now appears that his ambitions lie elsewhere.

"I've been a free agent since the last game of the season," Collins told Eric White on BBC Radio Foyle. 

"That was the agreement with the club (Athlone), that I'd take them to the last game of the season.

"I always made it clear that my ambition would be to go and win the Premier League with the next club I go to.

"The lads in Athlone understand and are realistic that that won't be possible for them for a couple of years."

Collins confirmed that Athlone have asked him to enter talks with a view to managing the newly-promoted outfit for 2014, but the Dubliner has been attracted by the position in Derry.

He said: "Anyone that has half of a football brain would realise the potential of Derry City. 

"There is no doubt that it is a fantastic club, a big club with great support. I reckon they have a great young squad of players and there isn't much needed to sort them out. 

"In my opinion they have the potential to win the League, if not next year then the year after."

The colourful Collins said he spoke to representatives of the Maidan City club last weekend, but is awaiting a call for an official interview. 

Derry have had serious financial difficulties of late, but the 2000/01 League and FAI Cup winning boss at Bohemians insists that money will not be an issue.

He said: "You only have to look at my record: Won the double at Bohs on a budget that was half of what Shelbourne were paying; we got Monaghan promoted on a budget that was sixth; and won the League with Athlone on €1,700 quid against budget of five-and-a-half or six grand. Money isn't an object for me. Prudence is something I'm good at - I don't waste other peoples' money."

The Brandywell Board is understood to favour the appointment of a manager who will continue the development of a youth structure that has brought through the likes of James McClean, Patrick McEleney, Barry McNamee and Michael Duffy.

This week, two other young starlets - defender Ryan McBride and midfielder Raymond Foy - signed two-year deals, but the loss of the classy full-back Simon Madden to Shamrock Rovers has come as a blow.

Collins says he would look after nurturing the young talent pool on Foyleside.

He said: "Derry is a hotbed.

"In any club, the most important structure is youth development. If you went to a club and didn't nurture the youth you would be leaving a terrible legacy, even if you won titles."

The likes of Ian Baraclough, Mick Cooke, Sean Connor, Mike Newell, Kenny Shields and Peter Huttton have all been linked with the vacancy since Devine's departure.