Giovanni Trapattoni has targeted the 2014 World Cup in Brazil as his possible swansong, despite yet another cruel elimination from international competition, but for now he's finding it hard to move on from Wednesday's disappointment in Paris.
Thierry Henry's double handball in the build up to William Gallas's goal in the World Cup play-off against the Republic of Ireland allowed Les Bleus to reach next year's World Cup in South Africa, and Trapattoni has admitted the disappointment takes his toll.
"The doubt does emerge," Trapattoni told Gazzetta dello Sport when asked if he will continue in football, "but I don't give up.
"It took me years to forget about Moreno, but I don't give up."
Byron Moreno was the Ecuadorian referee who officiated during Italy's 2-1 second-round defeat to South Korea in the 2002 World Cup who later admitted Trapattoni's Azzurri were wronged during that contentious match.
"In the spring, I will start to prepare for the European qualification," said the 70-year-old who recently extended his contract with the FAI.
"I have a dream: to take part in the World Cup 2014 in Brazil. It could be the end of a journey."
Trapattoni is still seething over Wednesday's game, though.
The FAI appealed to Fifa to have a replay of the encounter and even Henry said that was the fairest solution but football's world governing body today ruled there would not be another game.
"I would like to know what have I done to (Sepp) Blatter," Trapattoni said. "If he explains it to me at least I would be calm.
"I often go to schools and speak of fair play.
"Perhaps I am a dreamer.
"Fifa has violated the rules imposing top seeded teams in the play-offs.
"It's treachery.
"I think even (Uefa president Michel) Platini was against this revolution."
Trapattoni continues to play Wednesday's events over and over in his mind and, while there is little vitriol reserved for Henry, he pulls no punches on his judgement of the officials.
"There's this double handball from Henry on Gallas' goal and on top of that (Sebastien) Squillaci was offside," Trapattoni said. "It's murder.
"Even a blind man would have seen the double handball by Henry. The linesman was on line as the images show and he had perfect vision.
"I am certain that Mr Hansson (the referee) was in contact with the fourth official and to those who were looking at the images in slow motion.
"Why, when he understood that he had made a mistake, did he not change his mind? I think the time has come to have tv replays for these extreme cases.
"In 30 seconds you avoid colossal errors.
"Fifa has done a great job," he said. "For France v Ireland, you needed a top referee, instead they have sent a Hansson nobody."
