Besieged Republic of Ireland coach Giovanni Trapattoni was given the green light to continue in charge of the team’s World Cup qualifying campaign.
The 73-year-old Italian looked doomed on Friday when Ireland suffered a 6-1 defeat to Germany, the country’s heaviest ever home loss.
But a 4-1 win over the Faroes in Torshavn on Tuesday boosted hopes of finishing second in Group C which could secure a play-off spot in the race for Brazil.
“The Board of the Football Association of Ireland met today and discussed Ireland’s performances in the World Cup Qualifying campaign to date and the prospects of achieving qualification for Brazil 2014,” said a FAI statement.
“The Board agreed that convening a meeting between the Germany and Faroe Islands matches and/or commenting on the Germany game or the manager’s position prior to last night’s game would have been totally inappropriate.”
Trapattoni’s contract with the FAI runs to the end of the World Cup qualifying campaign and the governing body insisted Wednesday that the Italian remains the best man for the job.
“The Board, while disappointed with the poor result and performance against Germany…believes the current position in the group means that qualification for Brazil remains a realistic and achievable prospect and reaffirmed that Giovanni Trapattoni is to remain in charge of the national team,” added the statement.
“The Board recognises the depth of feeling surrounding the team, the performances, the results and the manager, reflecting the passion which everyone in Irish football has for the game and will continue to work closely with the manager.”
Ireland are lying third in their group on six points, one point behind Sweden and four points behind leaders Germany.
Trapattoni gets Ireland vote of confidence
