Giovanni Trapattoni immediately set his sights on making an impact at Euro 2012 after guiding the Republic of Ireland to their first finals tournament for a decade.
The 1-1 draw with Estonia at the Aviva Stadium completed a 5-1 aggregate play-off victory and secured an 8million euros windfall for the Football Association of Ireland.
But Trapattoni is not content just to have qualified, and said: "I think never say never. I hope only we have no injuries in this campaign and no suspensions. It's good that we have new options to come in, but it's important that we have the basis of our first team available."
He added: "Why not? Now we have discovered Jon Walters, we have discovered also Simon Cox, and we also have Robbie Keane and Shane Long to come back, and also our wingers. With this group, why not? It's not a dream. We need 100% commitment, but football is about scoring goals."
The final whistle brought scenes of joy on and off the pitch as Trapattoni and his players celebrated a first ever qualification on home soil, their first anywhere for 10 years and their first trip to the European Championships since 1988.
Ireland will head for Poland and Ukraine next summer, and Trapattoni will hope to do so with a new contract signed, sealed and delivered.
FAI chief executive John Delaney was giving nothing away after the game, but the tenor of his words tended to support reports that a two-year extension will be on the table.
Delaney told Sky Sports: "That's not for tonight, but what I would say is he's been brilliant to work with. For me it's been a pleasure.
"The board will meet in the next couple of weeks and we'll sit down with Giovanni and we'll discuss what can happen in the future. I think that should happen sooner rather than later.
"But what I would say is, has Giovanni Trapattoni taken us forward? Yes, he has. Four years ago, where were we? Today we're in a far better place. We're qualified and the country is going to erupt tonight."
Source: PA
