Giovanni Trapattoni has left his job as manager of the Republic of Ireland following last night’s 1-0 defeat in a World Cup qualifier in Austria. Blues boss Mick McCarthy continues to be amongst those reported to be in the running to succeed the Italian.
Trapattoni’s departure had seemed inevitable since Friday’s loss to Sweden and last night’s further defeat left Ireland with only a mathematical chance of making next summer’s World Cup in Brazil.
An FAI statement reads: "Following an amicable meeting this morning, Giovanni Trapattoni and [assistant manager] Marco Tardelli have parted company [with the FAI] by mutual consent."
Former Irish international centre-half McCarthy was previously in charge of Ireland for more than five years from 1996 and took them to the second round of the 2002 World Cup where they lost on penalties to Spain.
According to some bookies, the Town manager is currently the 10-1 second favourite to replace the Italian, who had been in charge since 2008, with the currently-out-of-work ex-Northern Ireland international Martin O’Neill odds-on to get the job at 4-5.
Some bookies have Leeds boss Brian McDermott ahead of McCarthy as second favourite at 7-1, while former Town manager Roy Keane is another listed, generally at around the 16-1 mark.
Trapattoni was contracted to the FAI until after the 2014 World Cup but with World Cup qualification becoming increasingly unlikely has been under pressure for some while.
McCarthy was previously tipped for a return to his old job before he joined Town last November, although he dismissed the links: "There were all sorts of stories that I’ve been tapped up and I’ve spoken to them, but it was barefaced lies. Nothing in it at all.”
However, he added that he could be interested in returning to the role at some point in the future should it become vacant: "I’d go back, but when it’s right, when it’s available. I’m not trying to add pressure on to anybody else.”
Soon after McCarthy took over at Portman Road it was reported that his contract included a clause which would allow him to exit Town if the FAI wanted him at the end of 2012/13 campaign without the Blues receiving any compensation, claims the Town boss played down: "I don’t discuss my contract, so where those stories come from I don’t know.”
Over the weekend it was reported that the clause expired at the end of August and that the FAI — whose finances are tight - would have to pay what is likely to be significant recompense to Town if they were to make a move for McCarthy, who is contracted to the Blues until the summer of 2015.