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.