Stan: Writing was on the wall for Trap

Former Republic of Ireland manager Steve Staunton has said he is "not surprised" at Giovanni Trapattoni's exit.

Staunton, who won 102 caps for the Republic and managed the team on their failed mission to qualify for Euro 2008 before losing his job, had seen Trapattoni's exit coming.

Defeats to Sweden and Austria left the Italian’s team with no realistic hope of qualifying for the World Cup.

“I’m not really that surprised after the two results we had because we all knew this month was crucial for qualification,” Staunton said on Sky Sports News.

“We were never going to qualify automatically, but I think everybody had hope and vision that we would come second and get a play-off, and it’s a bit of a lottery then, but that’s not going to be the case.”

Staunton played during Ireland's heyday under Jack Charlton, and the Englishman’s success with the team has raised the country’s expectations of success on a European and world level.

“We’re always expected to qualify ever since Jack’s era,” Staunton said.

“Expectations have to be managed and controlled but sometimes they are unrealistic.

“Unfortunately things didn’t work out. The criticism is coming from the tactics this time.

“But you can only work with the players you’ve got and unfortunately our players at this moment in time – we haven’t got the biggest pool in the world.”

A tough Euro 2012 campaign saw Trapattoni’s team return after the group stage following three defeats, to Croatia, Spain and Italy.

There were calls for Trapattoni to go then, but he survived that and Staunton said “maybe he deserved another chance” for guiding the team to the tournament.

Staunton would welcome former Northern Ireland international O’Neill coming in to succeed Trapattoni.

“He’s got more experience than anybody out there so it wouldn’t be a bad shout,” Staunton said.

“He’s managed Celtic for five years and done really well up there, and at other clubs he’s done really well, so that wouldn’t be a bad choice. Who knows what the FAI have in mind, but Martin would be up there high on the list.

“I would like to see an Irishman get it or somebody who’s from these islands, who knows what the Irish boys are about and knows the mentality. The FAI has a tough job now.”

Former Republic midfielder Jason McAteer told Sky Sports: ``Giovanni is a lovely fella, very shrewd. Two poor results cost them qualification and it was time to move on.

“There are some good players coming through. It’s important to get the right man now to bring those players through.

“Mick McCarthy coming back would be fantastic but I think Mick is enjoying the day-to-day management at Ipswich and that, for me, would rule him out.

“Martin O’Neill, with his man management skills, would be an ideal candidate.”