FAI to call time on Trapattoni's reign

After five years in charge of the Republic of Ireland, Giovanni Trapattoni's reign is expected to come to an end in the coming days - with a decision on his future likely to be made by the FAI board of management before the weekend.

The Italian was expected to hold a press conference in Dublin on Wednesday afternoon but that has now been cancelled by the FAI following Tuesday night's 1-0 defeat to Austria in Vienna.

David Alaba, the man who stole two points from Ireland in the reverse fixture back in March at the Aviva, struck the winning goal six minutes from time to end Ireland's qualification hopes and keep the Austrian's aim of a second-place finish alive.

An FAI statement released less than two hours after the game read: "The recent results against Sweden and Austria were very disappointing for everyone involved in Irish football, the manager, the players and supporters.

"Our aim of qualification, although mathematically possible, is now highly unlikely even though the team will always do everything within their power to keep that hope alive. The FAI Board of Management will now consider the current position over the coming period to discuss the recent results."

That period is thought to be days rather than weeks. Having taken their time over Trapattoni's appointment back in 2008, it is widely believed the process will be carried out much quicker this time.

Martin O'Neill, who had been approached in 2008 before the FAI turned to Trapattoni and is out of work since being sacked by Sunderland last season, is the big favourite to take the job, with Mick McCarthy, Chris Hughton and Roy Keane also tipped for the job.

McCarthy and Hughton are both content in their current jobs at Ipswich Town and  Norwich City respectively.

The big question however is whether a replacement will be appointed ahead of the daunting trip to Cologne - made all the worse by the fact that John O'Shea and Richard Dunne are both ruled out through suspension.

Trapattoni is contracted until the end of June and though he has admitted in recent days that his time as Ireland manager is nearing the end, he will not walk away, meaning the FAI will need to remove him from the position and pay off the remainder of his salary.

Though still mathematically possible, it would require a miracle for Ireland to clinch a play-off spot. With two games to go - against Germany and Kazakhstan next month - Ireland are six points behind Sweden in second and three off Austria in third. The  Swedes would need to lose both of their games, while Austria would, inconceivably, need to be beaten by the Faroe Islands after defeating Sweden.

After that, Ireland would still need to overturn a goal difference of nine while winning in Cologne and at home to the Kazakhs to secure second. As things stand, Trapattoni will not be in the dugout - whether a new man will be in situ or a caretaker will step into the lurch remains to be seen but on a night where Ireland fittingly wore black to match the funereal atmosphere, Vienna will have been the Italian veteran’s last as manager.