McCarthy seeks FAI backing to carry on

Mick McCarthy will seek reassurances that he has the full support of the Football Association of Ireland and his players before continuing to lead the Republic of Ireland's faltering European Championship campaign. Having considered his position last week during a holiday in Portugal, the Republic's manager has concluded that he can only carry on with full backing from his employers and his squad.

McCarthy, believed to be the longest serving manager in international football after six years and eight months, hoped he had disarmed critics when the Republic reached the second round of the World Cup after their captain, Roy Keane, had been sent home. But defeats by Russia and Switzerland in the opening matches of the Euro 2004 campaign have led to calls for his resignation from sections of the Irish media.

Yesterday McCarthy denied reports "100 per cent, categorically" that he would use an appearance on Irish television's Late, Late Show this Friday to announce he was leaving. Instead, he will take advantage of a promotional visit for his World Cup diary to speak to FAI officials. Assuming their support is forthcoming, he will then check with senior players that personal criticism of him is not likely to affect their performances in the critical away matches against Georgia and Albania next spring.

"I've got to go and see the FAI and we'll see what the feeling is towards me," he said. "The public perception has been very good, but at the end of it, I'll consider what's good for the team and for Irish football. If it was best for me not to be there, then I'll have to consider it. If it affects the team, I can't have that."

McCarthy, 43, has long intended to return to club football at the end of the Euro 2004 campaign, whether or not Ireland qualify. He was tipped for the vacant Sunderland job recently, and would have been tempted to take it, but no approach was made and Howard Wilkinson was appointed instead.