FAI CHIEF EXECUTIVE John Delaney wasn’t giving much away when asked about Giovanni Trapattoni’s future ahead of a massive couple of days.
Ireland meet Sweden in Stockholm on Friday before returning to Dublin to face Austria four days later and will have a much better idea of whether qualifying for the 2014 World Cup is achievable by next week.
With Group C leaders Germany heavy favourites to top the group, a runner-up spot is what Ireland have set their sights on and they must aim to avoid defeat in the upcoming double-header to have a real chance.
Delaney and the FAI chose to back the Italian after the 6-1 humiliation to Germany last October but a couple more poor results would pile the pressure on once again.
Speaking to Sky Sports News as part of a two-part feature, Delaney refused to be drawn into whether he could be wielding the axe in the near future.
“We are not going to comment on whether a manager keeps his job or not,” Delaney said. “We made our decision last October after the two games that we are supporting the manager because he has delivered for us and he is experienced.
“I would like, most of the board would like and Irish soccer supporters would like that we are competitive in this group after these two matches.
I respect him for what he has done on and off the field. There is always going to be a discussion about his style of play and whether it is attractive or not.
“If we win these two games, he’ll be a king in this country, like he was when we qualified.”
Delaney added that the expectation levels of Irish fans should have been lower heading into Euro 2012, where Ireland lost their three group games to Croatia, Spain and Italy.
He said: “There was a wave of optimism going into the Euros which maybe, in hindsight, was too high as some of our key players were injured going into the tournament.
“Like everything in life, when something is not working you have to reappraise it and have look at it and see how you can improve.
“We spoke to the manager very openly and very honestly (after the Germany loss).
“It was tough medicine, not just as chief executive but as an Irish football supporter. The board sat and took our time to make a decision, which was obviously to reaffirm his management.
“First of all, he is an experienced manager. Secondly, he had delivered for us up to the Euros, and thirdly, we had six points out of nine.
There are many other national associations who would love to have six points out of nine.”
