Michael O'Neill as ruled out the possibility of joining forces with Jim Magilton to co-manage Northern Ireland.
Former Ipswich and QPR boss Magilton has been assistant to close friend O'Neill at Irish club Shamrock Rovers.
Magilton was interviewed for the vacant NI job this week while O'Neill will be interviewed by the IFA on Monday.
Asked about taking the job on an equal basis O'Neill said: "I don't think it would work like that to be honest. It's not the right way to go about it."
He added: "Jim has been interviewed for the job, I will be interviewed for the job. The IFA (Irish Football Association) may give it to someone else - that's the reality of the situation."
O'Neill, who left his position with Shamrock Rovers after Thursday night's defeat by Tottenham, would however be willing to make Magilton a part of his coaching staff at national level if he gets the national job.
"Jim and I have known each other all our lives, so there are no issues there," added O'Neill.
O'Neill has said that he would be "honoured" to fill the vacant position of Northern Ireland manager.
The 42-year-old's stock has risen considerably since he moved to Rovers three years ago from Scottish side Brechin City.
O'Neill, who was capped 33 times by Northern Ireland, has won back-to-back league titles and also made the part-time Dublin outfit the first League of Ireland club to qualify for the group stages of a European competition after a Europa League play-off win over Partizan Belgrade.
O'Neill has been shortlisted for the Northern Ireland position, which is available after Nigel Worthington resigned in October, along with Magilton and Iain Dowie.
"It would be an honour to get that job and manage your country," said O'Neill.
"The vacancy is there for the job. I have been shortlisted for it.
"I will do the interview for it and we will see. I am no different from any other person who has played for the country."
