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Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni and assistant Marco Tardelli have had their contracts with the Football Association of Ireland ended by mutual consent.
The Italian duo’s departure came after what the FAI described as an “amicable” meeting this morning.
Ireland suffered their second successive defeat in Vienna last night.
“I want to thank everyone in Ireland who has given us their support during our time here which has always meant a lot to us,” Trapattoni said :
"We leave this country with emotion because we understand the Irish supporters who have a well-deserved international reputation and they have our utmost respect."
"I would also thank all FAI staff members, including the backroom team and the players, who have been great to work with during the last three campaigns.
"I wish them well in the future and hope that the job we have done leaves everything in a good place for my successor to take over."
Delaney acknowledged that the current World Cup qualifying campaign had been unsatisfactory, but highlighted the earlier achievements of the veteran Italian manager.
“We thank Giovanni Trapattoni, Marco Tardelli and Fausto Rossi for the last five and a half years during which we qualified for our first major tournament in ten years and were close to qualification for 2010 World Cup in South Africa after the play-off in France,” the FAI supremo said.
“This particular World Cup campaign has been disappointing, but Giovanni leaves us with a group of good young players which should form the basis of the squad that the new manager will use for the European Championships in France 2016 when 24 teams qualify.”
The FAI acted quickly in the aftermath of the defeat in Vienna, cancelling a scheduled Trapattoni news conference in Dublin this afternoon and the board says it will meet in due course to consider a replacement.
The FAI has agreed a new two-year contract with Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni and his assistant Marco Tardelli.
The new deal was announced in a statement today. It will begin in July 2012 and continue for the duration of the World Cup 2014 qualifying campaign. Fitness trainer Fausto Rossi will also continue in his role.
Trapattoni has secured his new contract on the back of Ireland's successful qualification for Euro 2012.
Commenting via an official FAI statement, the 72-year-old said: "I am very happy to continue my job with the FAI. I have always said that Marco and I believe very strongly in the work that we are doing to grow and develop the Irish team.
"It is a huge honour and a privilege to represent the Irish team and we look forward to continuing this important task."
FAI chief executive John Delaney said: "On behalf of the FAI Board of management, we are very happy to agree a contract extension with Giovanni Trapattoni and his team of Marco Tardelli and Fausto Rossi.
"They have done fantastic work with the squad, bringing us to qualification for a major tournament for the first time in ten years, increasing our world ranking to 21st and introducing many new players for the future.
"Giovanni's experience, professionalism and achievement in qualifying for EURO 2012 has impressed everyone including the players and the FAI Board."
Commenting on O'Brien's financial support, Delaney added: "The FAI Board of Management are particularly grateful to Denis O'Brien for his continuing contribution which gives the Irish team and supporters the benefit of Giovanni's services into the next World Cup campaign."
O'Brien also commented on the deal. He said: "Giovanni Trapattoni has done a tremendous job in bringing Ireland to qualification for the Euros for the first time since 1988.
"His professionalism, experience and close working relationship with the players has developed a squad which has grown in self-belief and determination.
"The squad is showing plenty of potential for further improvement during the coming campaign. I am delighted to continue my partnership with the FAI, Giovanni Trapattoni and the Irish squad."
FAI President Paddy McCaul said: "I am delighted that we have been able to retain the services of Giovanni Trapattoni. He brings a wealth of experience and a great working relationship with the FAI and the players.
"The fact that we have gone into the last two campaigns as third seeds and have finished second in both, as well as being seeded for the play-offs in EURO campaign, speaks volumes about his ability to deliver.
"I would like to congratulate Giovanni, Marco and Fausto on this renewed appointment"
Stephen Kelly is out of Ireland's Euro 2012 play-off decider against Estonia on Tuesday night at Landsowne Road.
The Fulham defender has been ruled out with a groin injury, although John O'Shea has recovered from a hamstring problem and is likely to slot into the right-back position.
Ireland Assistant manager Marco Tardelli confirmed Kelly's absence following training in Malahide this afternoon.
The Italian also revealed that midfielder Damien Duff was able to take part in the session despite returning from Tallinn with a rib injury.
Ireland assistant boss Marco Tardelli has told Ireland's players they could be preparing for the most important games of their lives as they attempt to book a trip to the Euro 2012 finals in Poland & Ukraine next summer.
Ireland face Estonia in a two-legged play-off over the next seven days with a place at next summer's tournament at stake.
A World Cup winner himself, Tardelli knows exactly what kind of exposure that can give a player even beyond the honour of representing their country on the big stage.
He said: "It's the match of their life for many players. It's important to qualify because the players need a boost as well in terms of new contracts and visibility.
"The European Championships give the players good visibility and for some players, maybe it is the last chance to be seen around the world.
"It's important, and it is important also for the Irish people.
"If a player plays in the Championship and maybe he plays well at the European Championships, it's possible to sign a new contract or play in the Premier League or in another country.
"This is important. I don't know for other players, but for me, it was very important because I am very close to my country, and I think these players are very close to their country.
"I felt very emotional when I stood on the pitch during the national anthem. I don't know for other players, but I think it's the same thing."
Whatever else qualification would bring - and contract extensions for manager Giovanni Trapattoni, assistant Tardelli and the rest of the staff could depend on it - it would end a 10-year wait for Ireland.
Not since Mick McCarthy's side reached the 2002 World Cup finals in the Far East via a fiercely-contested play-off against Iran has the nation contested a major finals.
There have been close calls, and no closer that two years ago when only William Gallas' controversial strike with the help of Thierry Henry's infamous handball in Paris saw France squeeze past Ireland before hitting problems in South Africa.
Those memories remain painfully vivid for many of the players, but Tardelli insists they must be consigned to history.
Asked if the events of that night still hurt, he said: "No, it's finished. We must focus on Estonia because it's very important."
Ireland head into the play-offs as favourites, although Tardelli has warned it would be dangerous for the players to believe that.
He said: "I don't think so. When we knew the draw, we were very happy because we drew Estonia, but Estonia thought the same thing. After the draw, Estonia were very happy because they drew Ireland.
"We are not favourites. We have a 50% chance like Estonia. We are not favourites - if we think we are favourites, that is very dangerous."
While skipper Robbie Keane was a welcome sight on the training pitch at Malahide this morning, keeper Shay Given and key defender Richard Dunne were absent, along with midfielders Keith Andrews and Keith Fahey.
However, Given was having treatment for a stiff neck and back and Dunne and Fahey for minor knee problems while Andrews was simply rested, unlike unfortunate Millwall keeper David Forde, who has returned to his club with a thigh problem, with Motherwell's Darren Randolph taking his place.
Tardelli said: "Shay Given and Richard Dunne needed a rest.
"Richard has a little problem with his knee and also Shay Given has a little problem with his back, but I think it is possible for them to return tomorrow."
Ireland striker Shane Long has been reassured that he will be a Premier League player next season, despite Reading's heart-breaking play-off final defeat on Monday.
The Tipperary born player was reunited with the Irish squad on Tuesday afternoon, 24 hours after his Royals top flight dream was killed off by Swansea City.
And Ireland's assistant manager Marco Tardelli, who has witnessed at close hand Long's transformation over the last 18 months, has told the 24-year-old he is convinced the striker will be one of the big movers in the summer transfer window.
Long is likely to have his choice of clubs during the close season if they can match Reading's £4million valuation.
For months he has been linked with moves to Newcastle, Everton & Wolves and Celtic manager Neil Lennon was among the crowd at Wembley keeping an eye on the promising young Irishman.
Tardelli said: 'I think he will be the key man in the transfer window. I see him as a Premier League player now and I think one team will come and buy him.
'He's very good now. Shane physically has become very strong, he's not scared, he's very fast, he reads the game better and he has changed. He has improved.
'He is like Aiden McGeady. When we arrived here they were very shy but now they are very strong. The experience in Russia has been very good for McGeady.
'Shane will be very sad. We saw the match and he played well but football is fantastic because after two or three days everything can change. We know Shane Long will be sad but he will be fine.'
Richard Dunne took no part in Ireland’s training session this morning in Malahide but Marco Tardelli is “100 per cent” certain the defender will be fit for the Euro 2012 qualifiers against Russia at home and Slovakia away.
Dunne made his comeback from injury for Aston Villa at the weekend and while assistant manager Tardelli admitted he was still slightly niggled by the injury, he insisted today’s absence was purely precautionary.
“He feels well but it is better for him to have the rest for one day,” Tardelli told reporters at the end of training in Malahide. “It is a precaution and there is no problem.”
Dunne is due to train with the rest of the squad tomorrow and Tardelli has no concerns over his availability to start on Friday when Russia come to Lansdowne Road.
Tardelli hopes to gain at least four points from the double-header, a tally that would put Ireland in a position of real strength at the top of Group B, but is under no illusions just how difficult a task lies ahead.
After a shaky start, Russia will arrive in Dublin desperately needing a win to get their campaign back on track and despite their defeat at home to Slovakia, Advocaat’s squad have real strength in depth.
“The Russian team are a very good team with good qualities and they have important players, some who play in England and Germany,” Tardelli cautioned. “The Russian team maybe has better quality than Slovakia but Slovakia are very tough. They are two different teams
“All the players must do their best. Like the other matches . . . we need to press the Russian team because they can play well in the midfield.
“They are a quality teams with many quality players. Arshavin, Pavlyuchenko and other players with Zenit. They are very good technically but with pressure in midfield it is possible for us to attack and it’s possible for us to play well.”
Ireland assistant manager Marco Tardelli has played down injury concerns surrounding Shay Given and Aiden McGeady.
The Manchester City keeper and Celtic winger received treatment at their clubs on Monday ahead of Saturday's World Cup qualifier against Bulgaria.
"I'm sure they will be available for the next training," said Tardelli.
Given has a shoulder problem while McGeady picked up a knock in Celtic's game against Dundee United on Sunday.
However, both players are expected to link up with the Republic squad on Tuesday.
Full-back Steve Finnan pulled out of the Irish squad last week because of a hamstring injury.
Bulgaria striker Dimitar Berbatov will miss Saturday's World Cup qualifier because of an ankle injury.
The Manchester United forward sustained the injury during the 2-0 defeat by Fulham in the Premier League.
Ireland take on Group Eight leaders Italy in Bari four days after the Bulgaria game.
The Italians edge out Giovanni Trapattoni's team by goal difference with both teams locked on 10 points after four games.
The Football Association of Ireland are having to consider making new travel arrangements for the Republic squad's trip to Bari.
Airports in Ireland are expected to be affected by a nationwide strike on Monday - the day that the squad are scheduled to travel to Italy.
The possibility of travelling on Sunday or delaying the departure to Tuesday is being examined.
Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni will make a late decision on Paul McShane ahead of Wednesday's World Cup qualifier against Georgia.
The 23-year-old County Wicklow born defender trained with his team-mates in Malahide today after sitting out yesterday's session.
McShane reported for international duty as he continued his recovery from the hamstring injury he suffered in the Barclays Premier League victory over Fulham on 27 January having missed his club's last three games.
However, despite his presence on the training pitch this afternoon, assistant boss Marco Tardelli has admitted a final decision will be taken on his fitness tomorrow.
Tardelli said: 'Paul McShane is so-so, but we will decide on him probably tomorrow morning or afternoon.
'But in training, he was fine.'
Stephen Kelly, who made his debut for Stoke City at Sunderland on Saturday after completing a loan move from Birmingham City, is standing by to deputise for a man who has become a regular in the side under Trapattoni.
Even if McShane does make it, the Italian has already lost one member of his defensive pool with 20-year-old Preston player Eddie Nolan, who was called up from the Under-21s squad following Steve Finnan's withdrawal, having returned to his club with an Achilles problem.
However, the news is better of Reading striker Kevin Doyle, who was briefly knocked unconscious in a collision with North End keeper Andy Lonergan during the 0-0 Coca-Cola Championship draw between the sides at the Madejski Stadium on Saturday.
The 25-year-old, who was last night named Ireland's Player of the Year at the FAI's International Awards ceremony, trained today after also missing yesterday's session and showed know ill effects.
Tardelli said: 'He is fine - you saw him.'
Doyle lined up alongside skipper Robbie Keane in a game at the end of training in a side which featured Kelly at right-back and Blackburn Rovers' Keith Andrews alongside Glenn Whelan in central midfield, with Steven Reid injured and Andy Reid not included in the squad.
Keane has found himself in the spotlight once again in the last week or so having ended his miserable spell at Liverpool with a move back to former club Tottenham Hotspur.
He made his second debut for Spurs in yesterday's North London derby draw with Arsenal, and Tardelli revealed he joined up with a spring in his step.
He said: 'He is good. I have spoken to him and he told me everything is okay. He has no problems.
'He is very happy to be back at Tottenham, and today he trained very well. He is happy.'
Asked is his return to White Hart Lane might restore any lost confidence after a difficult six months on Merseyside, Tardelli replied: 'I am sure of it because this is the Ireland team.'
The side head into Wednesday night's game at Croke Park knowing a second victory over the Georgians - they beat them 2-1 at the neutral venue of Mainz's Bruchweg Stadium in Germany in September - would take them level on points with Group Eight leaders Italy.
However, while Tardelli, like his compatriot Trapattoni, would relish putting the pressure on his native country, he knows hugely experienced coach Hector Cuper will have his own sights set firmly on revenge.
He said: 'It's a very, very important game. It will be very difficult because Hector Cuper is a good coach who has changed Georgia.'
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Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni and assistant Marco Tardelli have had their contracts with the Football Association of Ireland ended by mutual consent.
