Giovanni Trapattoni maintained his commitment to fight on as manager of the Republic of Ireland as his team crashed out of Euro 2012 and failed to halt his own nation’s progress to the quarter-finals on Monday night.

But the 73-year-old admitted that certain senior players are likely to quit the international scene after their humiliation on the big stage.

On an emotional night for the former Italy boss, Ireland confirmed their place as the joint worst finalists in the history of the European Championships with a 2-0 defeat to Italy in Poznan, matching the records of three other finalists.

And despite facing calls to tear up his €2.8million two-year contract, Trapattoni insisted he is already planning ahead to the 2014 World Cup qualifying campaign.

All over: Ireland's players applaud their fans in Poznan after defeat to Italy ended their disappointing Euro 2012

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