If LA Galaxy captain Robbie Keane continues his international career with the Republic of Ireland this October, then he’ll do so under a new manager for the first time since 2008.
The Football Association of Ireland announced on Wednesday that head coach Giovanni Trapattoni and his assistant Marco Tardelli had departed by mutual consent. The move comes a day after the Ireland’s 1-0 defeat to Austria, which effectively ended their hopes of qualifying for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
The Italian leaves after a successful five-year tenure that saw the Irish qualify for UEFA Euro 2012, their first major international tournament in a decade as he compiled a 26-16-22 record in 64 matches. Trapattoni nearly guided Ireland to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, but were defeated by France in a highly-controversial qualification playoff.
Following Ireland’s defeat to Austria on Tuesday and prior to the announcement of Trapattoni's departure, Keane was asked about his, now former, international manager.
"It is very difficult for a player just coming off a result and speaking about a manager who has done very, very well for this country," said Keane. "He has been a credit to his country and he has carried himself the way a man of his stature should."
