Mick McCarthy speaking in London yesterday ruled out any possibility he will leave his post as Ireland manager this week but said that when he arrives in Dublin to promote his World Cup Diary he intends to meet FAI officials to clarify his position.

Having taken time over the past week to consider his situation in the wake of his team's poor start to the European Championships campaign McCarthy also said he would be sounding out his players for their opinions before making any decisions regarding his future.

He went on, however, to hint that even he now feels that it might be unwise for him to stay on, with the 43-year-old remarking: "I could be bloody-minded and say I'll go all the way through this (the qualification campaign) but is that the right thing?"

In relation to his expectation that he will be discussing his future with his employers this week McCarthy said: "I want to sit down, chat with them and see what they're doing. I've been away, had my week and now I'll speak to the FAI.

"I'll speak with a few of the players also," he continued. "I'll have a chat with all of them. Let's see how they feel."

The implication is that while he expects to be in charge for next month's friendly international in Greece, where he will be able to talk things over with the members of his squad, his longer-term future is far less certain. After the game on November 20th, which he has previously said he will use to have a look at a number of peripheral players, Ireland have no games until mid February when the team is due to play another friendly, in Scotland.

If McCarthy was to depart then it would make sense for everyone that the decision be taken in time to have a new man in place ahead of the February game after which there is a six-week gap to the resumption of the European Championship campaign with games in Georgia and Albania.

Pressed about speculation that he might actually announce his resignation while on this Friday night's Late Late Show McCarthy was adamant.

"No chance, no chance," he insisted, before his tone lightened and he joked: "Unless I get sacked . . . I hadn't thought of that one!"

Ireland's defeats against Russia and Switzerland had, he said, "made life very difficult for me and my situation with a section of the press, a growing section of them, has affected the team.

"I've been around Ireland since 1984," he continued, "as a player, coach and manager and I've given absolutely everything but there comes a time when you have to recognise that enough is enough."

At no point in the discussion did McCarthy display any real conviction that he still believed he would see out his current two-year deal. He did say, however, "I'll do what is good for the Irish team and for Irish football. If it is best for me not to be there, I would consider it. But I'm still doing the job until something happens to change my mind."

The players are certainly unlikely to say anything that will edge McCarthy towards the exit door with almost all of them believed to be loyal to him while the FAI, even if a common position was agreed within the organisation, would struggle to pay anything like the €800,000 or so still outstanding on his present contract and then fund the recruitment of a high-profiled replacement.

All of which may leave McCarthy waiting on an offer of alternative employment from an English club before opting to walk away from the Irish job.