In 2008, there was speculation that Mullins would succeed Paul Caffrey as Dublin manager. However, he turned down the job. He had withdrawn his name from consideration on the previous occasion when the post was vacant in 2004 after a breakdown in negotiations with the Dublin County Board. Mullins gave an exclusive interview to Gary Moran of RTÉ Sport for the "Sunday Sport" programme of Sunday 21 November 2004 in which he explained his decision, including the board's failure to match his ambition for Dublin football and the fact that he had no communication from the County Board for over three months after attending an interview for the post, a period during which the post was offered to at least two other high-profile figures, including Mick O'Dwyer.