With news of Giovanni Trapattoni's departure, we've taken a look back at some of the best pictures from the defining moments of his reign as Ireland manager.
Appointed in February 2008 following the dismissal of Steve Staunton
Picture credit: David Maher / SPORTSFILE
Most people were pretty happy about the selection
Picture credit: David Maher / SPORTSFILE
Though reporters didn't seem to realise how bad his English is...
...get some mics on Manuela; you're gonna need them.
His first game was a friendly 1-1 draw with Serbia
Picture credit: David Maher / SPORTSFILE
First competitive game: a 2-1 away win over Georgia
Starting lineup: Given, Finnan, O'Shea, Dunne, Kilbane, McGeady, Whelan, S Reid, S Hunt, Doyle, Keane
Picture credit: David Maher / SPORTSFILE
However, the campaign ended in heartbreak in Paris
Ireland reached the play-offs with four wins, six draws and no defeats.
Picture credit: David Maher / SPORTSFILE
Those were dark days, but Trap couldn't be blamed
Picture credit: Brian Lawless / SPORTSFILE
He did win the Nations Cup
Picture credit: David Maher / SPORTSFILE
And qualified for Euro 2012
Picture credit: Brendan Moran / SPORTSFILE
But performances at the tournament marked the beginning of the end
Picture credit: David Maher / SPORTSFILE
The 6-1 home defeat to Germany led to increased calls for his sacking
Picture credit: Paul Mohan / SPORTSFILE
And two more defeats to Sweden and Austria were the last straw
Picture credit: David Maher / SPORTSFILE
