Trap defiant but door may be near

A defiant Giovanni Trapattoni has insisted tonight’s World Cup qualifier in the Faroe Islands will not be his last game as Ireland manager, as the FAI maintained an official silence on reports that a decision has been made to replace the 73-year-old Italian.

Former Spurs manager Harry Redknapp and former Ireland manager and captain Mick McCarthy are among the names being tipped to take over, after a disappointing Euro finals for Ireland in the summer was followed by last Friday night’s humiliating 1-6 defeat by Germany at the Aviva Stadium.

However, speaking in the Faroese capital Torshavn yesterday, Trapattoni was adamant tonight’s game would not be his final one in charge of the team.

“Absolutely not. I ask you why? We have just started the qualification [for the World Cup] and we lose one game to Germany. There is no reason. When they [the FAI] are sure, they have to decide, not me. I have crossed the Alps barefoot and I have overcome most difficulties in all my years.”

However, he conceded he could not be sure he would see out his contract to the end of the qualifying campaign.

Trapattoni was supported by the likes of Robbie Keane, while senior international Keith Andrews says in his column in this newspaper today that the players are “100% behind the manager”.