O'Neill is FAI's only choice to replace Trapattoni as Republic of Ireland manager and lead country's Euro 2016 campaign

O'Neill is FAI's only choice to replace Trapattoni as Republic of Ireland manager and lead country's Euro 2016 campaign

The FAI will approach Martin O’Neill in the next 48 hours to become manager of the Republic of Ireland and the former Celtic and Sunderland boss is willing to discuss terms to replace Giovanni Trapattoni whose five-year reign was ended by 'mutual consent' on Tuesday.
The management committee of the FAI will convene next week to rubber-stamp the appointment of the 61-year-old Derry man who is their only choice to lead Ireland’s Euro 2016 campaign.
With businessman Denis O’Brien on board for at least another two years to fund the wages of another high profile manager, the FAI are poised to make their move for the number one candidate.

Talks: Martin O'Neill is set to discuss terms with the FAI to become the next Republic of Ireland manager

Their hope is that O’Neill, who has been out of work since he was sacked by Sunderland in March, will be in place to pick the side to face Germany in Cologne before the final World Cup 2014 qualifier at home to Kazakhstan.
Although the new manager will be without first choice centre-backs John O’Shea and Richard Dunne for the German game, they are optimistic he will take the job to go some way to filling the Aviva Stadium for the last competitive fixture until the Euro campaign starts next September.
If negotiations with O’Neill hit a snag in the coming week, the FAI will be forced to find a caretaker boss for the two remaining matches. Under-21 manager Noel King is the obvious choice for that temporary role.

Missing out: First-choice centre back John O'Shea will be unavailable when Ireland take on Germany in October

The FAI’s bargaining position has been helped by O’Brien’s willingness to continue his financial support, although he did not fund the compensation package to Trapattoni.
Chief executive John Delaney said: 'Denis O’Brien has confirmed that he will continue to stick with this project for the next two years at least. We have the firepower to go to the market to try and get ourselves a manager.'
Delaney, refused to be drawn on the nature of the payoff to Trapattoni, but sought to dismiss speculation that his contract ran until next summer.
'His contract does not run until 1 June. Whatever happens is confidential, but there is no substantial cost to the Association.'

Axed: Giovanni Trapattoni and his assistant Marco Tardelli

NEXT REPUBLIC BOSS

4-5 Martin O’Neill
10-1 Mick McCarthy
10-1 Brian McDermott
12-1 Roy Keane
20-1 Pat Fenlon
25-1 Owen Coyle
25-1 Paul Cook
25-1 Liam Buckley
25-1 Billy Davies
25-1 David O’Leary
33-1 Chris Hughton
33-1 Harry Redknapp
33-1 Chris Hughton
40-1 Alan Curbishley
50-1 Niall Quinn
50-1 Neil Warnock
100-1 Tony Cascarino
100-1 Andy Townsend
100-1 Mark Lawrenson
Others on request

The 74-year-old and his assistant Marco Tardelli met Delaney, president Paddy McCaul, and secretary Michael Cody in the VIP lounge of Dublin airport yesterday morning and Trapattoni agreed to take a £400,000 pay-off, which is considerably less than the package due to him.
'There was a recognition that over his time in charge Giovanni was paid a good salary and that he delivered more than he didn’t deliver,’ said Delaney. 
Trapattoni then caught a flight back to Milan via Amsterdam, while Tardelli flew to his home in London. Delaney and co meanwhile immediately started the search for his successor.
Delaney said: 'We flew home obviously from Austria, got back at three or four in the morning and met this morning at 9.30.
'There was a lot of emotion in the room, to be honest with you, we've had five and a half years working together, there's great trust between Trapattoni, Tardelli and the association and very quickly we felt the right thing to do at that juncture was part company and trust me, I know sometimes statements say bland remarks, there was a lot of emotion and a strong friendship that was there for the last five and a half years and that was reflected in the statement.

Giovanni Trapattoni axed as Ireland manager

Down and nearly out: Austria defeat all but ended Ireland's qualification hopes

Trapattoni factfile

2008: February 11 - Agrees in principle to take over as Republic of Ireland manager.
May 28 - First game in charge is a 1-1 draw with Serbia.
2009: September: Signs a new contract through to 2012.
November 18 - Presides over the World Cup play-off loss to France, which is decided after Thierry Henry's handball controversy.
2011: Guides Ireland to Euro 2012 with a play-off win over Estonia.
2012: Given a new two-year contract.
June - Ireland disappoint at Euro 2012, losing group games to Spain, Italy and Croatia.
October - Ireland lose a World Cup qualifier 6-1 to Germany.
2013: September 11 - After back-to-back defeats against Sweden and Austria leave the Republic out of contention to qualify for the
2014 World Cup, Trapattoni leaves his post as Republic manager. His departure is by "mutual consent", the Football Association of Ireland announce.

'I think he felt, it came out today, he said he was doing a good job with Ireland. When he first came, we hadn't qualified for a long time. We were unlucky in Paris, the Euros was our first major tournament for ten years, he genuinely feels there is a group of young players available for the next manager and over the course of his time, he would feel he did a good job for Irish football and I think most people in Irish football would agree that over the course, he's left Irish football in a better state than he inherited.
'From what I know, obviously 24 teams go to the Euros, the next campaign in France, which also increases our chances.
'There's talk of Irish football being in the wilderness, really strong emotional comments over the last few days. It has been a tough campaign, I'm an Irish football supporter myself, and today is a very emotional day.
'As an Irish fan we're not going to the World Cup in Brazil next year but the work begins from today to get to the Euros in 2016.
'We will sit down over the next week or so and look at the process, the board of the FAI, in terms of appointing a new manager. There are good young players, the Colemans, the Wilsons, the Longs, the McCarthys, the Robbie Bradys, they are all good players who want to get to a major tournament.
'Today was a day to deal with Giovanni and Marco in a dignified fashion, I think that's been achieved. I hope so anyway and I hope people will respect over the course - he is a legendary man in world football - the job he has done for Irish football.
'We do have time, the European qualifiers don't start til next September. I think what we'll do is take stock of the last few days, take stock of the decision that has arisen today, and discuss the process for the appointment of a new manager.’

Talented: Ireland have seen a number of good players come through the ranks, including Seamus Coleman

Although O’Neill is currently the only choice for the FAI, Ireland international James McCarthy said he would welcome the appointment of Roy Keane as boss.
The firey former Ireland captain would welcome a call from Delaney, but is unlikely to receive one, even though his appointment would bolster gates at the Aviva. He would also want to bring back former Irish boss Brian Kerr.
Everton midfielder McCarthy said: 'It would be great to work under him, but I'm not sure what's going to happen.
'A few names have been thrown around, obviously Martin O'Neill, and Mick McCarthy maybe. It's up to the FAI and I'm sure whoever comes in, will do a good job.’

Possibility: Everton new boy James McCarthy would relish the opportunity to work under Roy Keane

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