Don Givens believes the next Republic of Ireland manager will inherit a squad of players capable of propelling their country to the finals of the European Championship in Portugal in 2004.
Ireland lost their opening two Group 10 qualifying matches and are already seven points behind early leaders Switzerland.
But after taking charge of the squad for last night's friendly in Greece, Givens is confident the players left behind by former manager Mick McCarthy have the spirit and the ability to turn things around and stake a serious claim for a ticket to Portugal, albeit via the play-offs.
"I honestly believe Mick has left things very healthy," said Givens.
"He has gradually reduced the age of the squad and left it in very good shape for the next manager to come in.
"I would like to think we can still qualify for the 2004 European Championships, although we have got a mountain to climb.
"We are seven points behind the group leaders, so realistically you are looking at a play-off place, but of course it is not impossible.
"The lads in the squad have performed very well before. They have had a blip now, but when the new manager comes in there will hopefully be a more positive attitude all round that we can go from there and get into those play-offs."
Givens is hoping the goalless draw in Athens has stopped the rot after those two successive defeats, and that the team can bounce back in their qualifying double header in Georgia and Albania in March and April.
"I am sure this result has steadied things a little bit," said Givens. "I was certainly aware that we didn't want to lose, that was first and foremost in the equation because we didn't want to be having three defeats on the trot."
Ireland lost their opening two Group 10 qualifying matches and are already seven points behind early leaders Switzerland.
But after taking charge of the squad for last night's friendly in Greece, Givens is confident the players left behind by former manager Mick McCarthy have the spirit and the ability to turn things around and stake a serious claim for a ticket to Portugal, albeit via the play-offs.
"I honestly believe Mick has left things very healthy," said Givens.
"He has gradually reduced the age of the squad and left it in very good shape for the next manager to come in.
"I would like to think we can still qualify for the 2004 European Championships, although we have got a mountain to climb.
"We are seven points behind the group leaders, so realistically you are looking at a play-off place, but of course it is not impossible.
"The lads in the squad have performed very well before. They have had a blip now, but when the new manager comes in there will hopefully be a more positive attitude all round that we can go from there and get into those play-offs."
Givens is hoping the goalless draw in Athens has stopped the rot after those two successive defeats, and that the team can bounce back in their qualifying double header in Georgia and Albania in March and April.
"I am sure this result has steadied things a little bit," said Givens. "I was certainly aware that we didn't want to lose, that was first and foremost in the equation because we didn't want to be having three defeats on the trot."