Trapattoni expects to leave after World Cup

Giovanni Trapattoni has accepted his reign as Republic of Ireland boss will end after the current World Cup campaign – regardless of whether they qualify or not.

Both the 74-year-old Italian and his assistant Marco Tardelli have spoken in recent days of an extended stay despite calls for them to go in the wake of Friday’s 2-1 home defeat by Sweden, which left their qualification hopes in tatters.