Giovanni Trapattoni's tenure as Republic Of Ireland boss looks set to be coming to an abrupt end following their 1-0 defeat to Austria on Tuesday night. The Football Association Of Ireland released a statement revealing they would review Trapattoni's position as manager as qualification for next summer's World Cup after their hopes were effectively ended once and for all last night. The statement reads as follows;
The recent results against Sweden and Austria were very disappointing for everyone involved in Irish football, the manager, the players and supporters. Our aim of qualification, although mathematically possible, is now highly unlikely even though the team will always do everything within their power to keep that hope alive. The FAI Board of Management will now consider the current position over the coming days. The post-match press conference which was due to take place this afternoon in Dublin has been cancelled
Ireland's hopes of qualifying for the 2014 World Cup were critically dashed on Tuesday night, after two defeats against their main rivals for the second qualifying place in Group C in 5 days. A desperately disappointing 1-2 defeat at home to a pedestrian Sweden, followed by a 1-0 reverse in Vienna courtesy of a David Alaba strike against an equally uninspiring Austrian side have enhanced the already deafening calls for the sacking of the ageing Italian, who has been slated in the media for failing to pick the best Irish players, and for his reluctance to go and attend matches involving potential Irish players. Former Sunderland, Aston Villa and Celtic boss Martin O'Neill is the early bookies favourite, with odds of 4/5 being offered on the Northern Irishman becoming the next permanent manager of the nation's flagship association football side.