Liam Brady, who was assistant to Giovanni Trapattoni in his first two years as Republic of Ireland manager, says that Trap knows he will probably be will get the boot if FAI is he does not get good results in the World Cup qualifiers against Sweden and Austria later this month.
Brady said: "I think Giovanni would see that as being the case. If we don't do well points wise, he would know that the FAI would probably sack him. I don't think it's in his make-up to quit. He will have to be forced to step down, if he is going to step down."
However, Brady, who has always supported the man who was his former manager at Juventus, thinks there won't be any talk of resignations this month. He said: "I've been vocal in support of Trap because I don't think the group is over yet. I still think we have a fair chance and the team is still playing for him. Even after the whacking we got by Germany, I think the team is still with him. That's why I've been very supportive. Let's see how the points tally ends up.
"But, if we don't qualify, probably Marco [Tardelli] and Giovanni will know their contracts won't be renewed. Trap is being beaten with his salary stick all the time. But if you're going to get a top manager, you have got to be able to pay him. The EPL is getting wealthier all the time, even the Championship managers are well paid.''
Brady, who will quit as head of Arsenal's Youth Academy, hinted that he might be interested in working for the FAI in a similar role, but ruled out a return to club management. ''Been there done that, wasn't very good at it,'' he said. Asked about the likely candidates for the Irish job if Trap does go, Brady suggested Chris Hughton, Mick McCarthy and Owen Coyle.
And how about his former Gunners colleague Brian McDermott, who is now manager of EPL strugglers Reading? "Brian would not be in my list of outstanding candidates for the job, with all due respect,'' said Brady.
Meanwhile the FAI has confirmed a friendly against Georgia at the Aviva Stadium on Sunday June 2. The game will come four days after the glamour friendly against England at Wembley and five days before the World Cup qualifier against the Faroe Islands at the same venue on June 7.
