Trapattoni insists he is not ready to vacate Republic of Ireland position

The Italian’s pre-match press conference ahead of tonight’s World Cup qualifier against the Faroe Islands in Torshavn was dominated by the debate over his future with one report back at home claiming he will be relieved of his duties by the end of the week whatever happens at the Torsvollur Stadium.

That, coupled with claims that mild-mannered defender Stephen Kelly, an unused substitute for Friday night’s 6-1 mauling by Germany, had to be persuaded to board the plane after a fall-out with assistant manager Marco Tardelli, sparked a mutinous atmosphere as the 73-year-old was grilled by journalists.

But asked if he expected tonight’s game to be his last Trapattoni replied: “Absolutely not. I ask you why? We have started the qualifying campaign and we have lost one game to Germany. There is no reason.”

Asked further if he still believed he had the support of the Football Association of Ireland. he said: “When they are sure, they have to decide, not me. I have crossed the Alps barefoot and I have overcome many difficult situations in my career.

“Every manager has moments when he loses. After the Euros, we have lost only one game to Germany, the second team in the world. It’s no problem.”

However, asked if he expected to see out his contract, he admitted that decision may not be his to make. He said: “I don’t know. It’s not me who will decide. Why I have to discuss it, I don’t know. My job is to overcome the criticism. I accept the criticism. We played badly and they (Germany) were very, very superior.”

What is clear is that if Trapattoni is to go, he will have to be pushed, and that could prove expensive for the FAI at a time when finance is an issue. Indeed, the salaries of Trapattoni and his staff have been part-funded through his four-and-a-half-year reign by businessman Denis O’Brien, and it seems certain that he will have a significant say in what eventually transpires.

Perhaps the most damning criticism of the Italian is the suggestion that he has lost the dressing room, which he denies, though the reports of Kelly’s dissatisfaction have been greeted as firm evidence to the contrary.

Trapattoni was adamant there had been no bust-up with Tardelli, and that Kelly spoke to him when he learned he would not be in the starting line-up for the Germany game. He said: “Steve asked me if he was playing and I told him he wasn’t. I clarified that I wanted a more offensive player because it was a game we needed to have more push up front. Seamus Coleman then and also tomorrow, can be important in this.

“He (Kelly) was a bit disappointed, and he said ‘Ah, okay, I thought I could play’. He said, ‘I have to think about it a little bit’.

“He thought and he thought very well. He’s here. That is important, he’s here.”

Kelly will be on the bench once again with Coleman retaining his place, but skipper Robbie Keane, who missed the Germany game with an Achilles injury, will return after having an injection, while Marc Wilson will replace Stephen Ward at left back and exciting Manchester United youngster Robbie Brady will start as Keith Fahey and Simon Cox also drop out.