Giovanni Trapattoni insisted he will not be fighting to save his job in the Faroe Islands on Tuesday night after seeing the Republic Ireland mauled by Germany.
The 73-year-old could only look on as the side ranked second in the world by FIFA trounced his makeshift team 6-1 at the Aviva Stadium and condemned them to their heaviest defeat on home soil. However, asked if Tuesday's World Cup qualifying Group C encounter in Torshavn could be vital to his continued presence at the helm, he replied: "No.
"It's a long way to Tipperary. Germany have gone, but we are in there fighting with Austria and Sweden for qualification. Why not?"
He added: "The players have to answer us and I am sure they can. We need to see their commitment in a very important situation here.
"I am proud of those players because their commitment is full, 100 per cent. I don't accept players without this commitment."
Trapattoni was defiant too when, after a week during which his future has been a topic of speculation, he was asked why he wanted to remain as Ireland manager.
He said: "Because I am proud of this team and the results it has achieved. It's not about money - it's about pride and being professional in my job. I was in four countries and I won in every country."
A defeat by Group C favourites Germany was perhaps not unexpected, but the manner of it cruelly exposed the deficiencies within a squad torn apart by retirements and injuries. The Republic held out for 32 minutes, but then capitulated horribly as they fell apart in the face of a determined assault - with goals coming from Marco Reus (2), Mesut Ozil, Miroslav Klose and Toni Kroos (2).
Trapattoni said: "It's difficult to explain. This evening, we were inferior against a strong team physically and technically, and we have no excuses."
Opposite number Joachim Low was understandably delighted by a victory which extended his side's 100 per cent start to the qualifying campaign. He said: "We have seen a very concentrated performance by our team. Right from the word 'go', it was palpable that there was a German presence on that pitch. We are very glad. Germany hadn't won away in Ireland for a long time."
Source: PA
