Giovanni Trapattoni said farewell to his squad, wished them happy holidays and, he said, he will pray that they stay fit so they can reconvene for a little friendly action against Croatia in August, before Slovakia and Russia in September.
He is also hoping that several members of the squad that won the Carling Cup, kept the Euro 2012 campaign on track, and achieved one of the great nights in Irish football, will have new employers by the closure of the summer transfer window.
Star prize: Shay Given is available from Manchester City... if you can match his wages
And plenty of them will be on the move.?There is captain Robbie Keane, and his vice Shay Given, who between them have spent most of the last season on the bench.
There is?striker Shane Long, who is certain to move to a Barclays Premier League club, having failed again to return there with Reading, and there is?Preston pair Sean St Ledger and Keith Treacy, who will look very much out of place in League One following their relegation.
Darren O'Dea, Stephen Kelly, Paul McShane, Keith Andrews and?Kevin Kilbane have all flown back to address their futures back in England and even the absentees like Darron Gibson, Kevin Doyle and James McCarthy are not guaranteed to have the same employers.
Still got it: Record-breaker Robbie Keane has surely got a couple of seasons at the top left
Having kept Ireland on track for Ukraine and Poland, and pulled off such a memorable win over Italy, with players facing so much uncertainty, Trapattoni admits he is mystified by the lack of regular first team action among so many of his squad. He hopes many of their futures will be resolved by the time he is preparing for the Slovaks visit to Aviva Stadium.
Trapattoni said: 'I have spoken to Robbie and Shay and I have told them it is my philosophy that they play for their clubs. It is important for us they play for their teams.
'I do not understand why so many of?the Irish players do not play regularly, but I am not the manager of their clubs, and it is not my decision.
Uncertain future: Keith Andrews is heading home to find out whether he is wanted at Blackburn
'I think Irish players can play. Many times we have asked why certain players are not playing and it is difficult for us to go and watch them when we do not know if they will be playing regularly.
'Two or three times, Marco (Tardelli) has travelled to Birmingham and when he calls the player on the morning, he doesn't know if he will be selected, or if he will play because the manager will not tell him. It is not easy.
'I do not like the arrangements with agents in England. They change teams, and they pick players and choose which clubs they can go to so it is impossible to build a team for managers. That is the system and I am glad I am not in the system.
'But we do want them to play every week, and if that means they have to move this summer, then I am happy for this.' ? ?
For Sale?Shay Given (Manchester City)
The Ireland No 1 and record cap holder is desperate to resume playing after a frustrating season on the bench. Performances in the fortnight prove he is still world class, although even the biggest clubs may struggle to match his wages.??
Keiren Westwood (Coventry)
Joining Sunderland on a free transferafter taking pick of clubs. With Craig Gordon injured for six months, he should start as Steve Bruce's No 1. ?
Keiren Westwood (Coventry)
Joining Sunderland on a free transferafter taking pick of clubs. With Craig Gordon injured for six months, he should start as Steve Bruce's No 1. ?
Paul McShane (Hull)
Described his club situation as 'strange'. Spent months on loan at Barnsley, yet Tigers boss Nigel Pearson says he wants him at the KC Stadium next season. Celtic interested but ?20,000-a-week wages will put off many suitors. ?
Darren O'Dea (Celtic)
Has decided his future lies elsewhereand will meet Neil Lennon to clarify his position. Hardly made a great impact on loan at Reading and Ipswich but performances in last two gamesmust have impressed. ?
Richard Dunne (Aston Villa)
Will be delighted to see the back of Gerard Houllier, but also keen to see who is appointed his successor. May wish he'd taken that move to Sunderland after all, but they will notbe alone in cooling interest now. ?
Sean St Ledger (Preston)
Desperate to play in the last week to get himself back in the shop window, rather than finish the season injured. One of Trap's real finds who deserves a break and a new club.?
Kevin Kilbane (Hull)
Had a terrific half season at Huddersfield, and maintained his Ireland position despite the drop in divisions, and playing in centre midfield. But missing out on promotion was a blow and likely to be out of Hull, with Huddersfield favourites tosign him permanently. ?
Stephen Kelly (Fulham)
Martin Jol's arrival as Mark Hughes's replacement leaves Kelly's position up in the air, but if he can replicate his recent Ireland form, could start as first choice right-back at Craven Cottage. Getting itchy feet after another in and out season. ?
Andy Keogh (Wolves)
Loaned out by Mick McCarthy repeatedly and yet to find his home. But doesn't look like it's Molineux anymore. ?
Darron Gibson (Manchester United)
On Steve Bruce's wish list after Jordan Henderson's departure. Sunderland have the money and Sir Alex Ferguson will have the appetite for a bid of around ?3million. Time to get out of Old Trafford.
Keith Andrews (Blackburn)
Hard to judge Steve Kean's assessment of the midfielder as he was injured for so much of last season, but played in all four games, and impressed. May welcome a freshchallenge away from Ewood Park, and vice versa. ?
Keith Fahey (Birmingham)
The drop to the Championship may suitthe midfielder, who is not on big wages, and could see more regular action. The new Premier League clubs may tempt Birmingham with a summer offer though.
Keith Treacy (Preston)
Like St Ledger needs to get out of Deepdale after relegation, and they need him off the wage bill. Burnley had a ?800,000 offer turned down, Hull also sniffing around.?
James McCarthy (Wigan)
One of the hottest prospect in the Premier League, whatever his indifference to the Ireland cause. Jordan Henderson's move to Liverpool could have killed that option, but plenty of interested parties, although Wigan will be reluctant to sell. ?
Aiden McGeady (Spartak Moscow)
Suggested this week that a move from Spartak Moscow would be a surprise, but judging by his reaction in the mixed zone in Macedonia, it would not be the most unwelcome thing inhis life. ?
Damien Duff (Fulham)
Another one facing an uncertain future under Martin Jol, but if he can stay fit would be a welcome recruit for any manager - not least the former Spurs boss. ?
Robbie Keane (Tottenham)
Must have at least two more seasonsin the top flight in him, despite his poor showing at West Ham, and hopefully the lure of the United States will not be too attractive just yet. May be tough to find the club that can match his wages and his desire to stay near London. ?
Shane Long (Reading)
The No 1 domestic target for Newcastle who have been?very keen for months. It is hard to see him not joining Alan Pardew on Tyneside, although Wolves boss Mick McCarthy would love to link him up with Kevin Doyle again.?
Kevin Doyle (Wolves)
Injuries have hit him hard this season and it was a tough one playing up front on his own, but he is growing with every season - as Arsenal and Liverpool have noted.
Safe as housesStephen Ward, Stephen Hunt, Kevin Foley. All Wolves, all happy.
Same for Jon Walters, Glenn Whelan?and Marc Wilson at Stoke (although Whelan only played for half of the last season and has been watched by Newcastle).
Liam Lawrence, recently joined Portsmouth permanently.
Simon Cox, only joined West Brom a year ago and new boss Roy Hodgson is a big admirer. ?
John O'Shea, never guaranteed a regular place at Manchester United, but just signed a new deal, so why leave? ?
Seamus Coleman, loved by Everton, just signed a new improved deal.?
Damien Delaney, settled at Ipswich, more so now Roy Keane has left, and getting his game. ?
Ciaran Clark emerged at Villa in the last year and looks set for a regular place in the coming years.
?Westwood poised for Sunderland switch with keeper to leave Coventry on a freeItaly 0 Republic of Ireland 2: Andrews and Cox on target as Trapattoni's men claim splendid winTrapattoni bemused at criticism of Capello as Ireland boss seeks new dealTrapattoni warns stay-away Ireland stars have no guarantee of returning to team
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Source: Daily Mail
Source: Daily Mail