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While most observers feel Giovanni Trapattoni is a dead man walking and expect the Irish manager to be out of a job pretty soon, the Italian insists he expects to remain on.

By Declan Whooley

Yesterday’s 4-1 victory over the Faroe Islands will have lifted the mood somewhat, but the drubbing at the hands of Germany and today’s cancelled press conference seemed to indicate that Trap’s time might be up.

The 73 year-old insists that the customary press meeting has been called off as his sister is in hospital in Italy and expects to be in charge for the friendly tie against Greece.

“I expect to continue to be the manager," he said in today’s Irish Examiner. "We have played only three games at the start of qualifying and we lose only once against the best team. But it is not my decision.”

He has admitted to having had little contact with the FAI and when asked it he had considered saying goodbye to the players after the match, his response was short.

“Maybe, maybe.”

Media speculation has Mick McCarthy and Harry Redknapp heavily linked with the post, with McCarthy now 3/1 favourite to take over the hot-seat again, just ahead of Chris Hughton. Roy Keane is available at 20’s, though this would be something of a long-shot.

All should become clearer over the coming days, though by now we are well accustomed to mystery and confusion surrounding all things Trap.