Kenny Cunningham 'wouldn't stick' with Giovanni Trapattoni

Former Republic of Ireland international Kenny Cunningham believes that Giovanni Trapattoni has taken the side as far as he can.

Ireland finished their poor Euro 2012 campaign with a 2-0 defeat to Italy in Poznan on Monday. The Irish lost all three games at the tournament, and Cunningham feels that this should spell the end of Trapattoni's time in charge.

"We have been exposed at these championships. Our system has looked a little outdated and we find ourselves in a position where our tournament is over after four days and we're just playing for pride," said Cunningham.

"The big discussion in Dublin and around Ireland is whether we want to persist with this philosophy of football, or are we going to go down a different path?

"My gut feeling is that I wouldn't stick with Trapattoni. He bonded the team together and gave the players a structure, but I think he's taken us as far as he can.

"To step up to the next level and integrate a generation of new young players, I think we have to go down a different route. We should shake his hand, thank him for his efforts and move forward with another manager."

Prior to the competition, Ireland were on a 14-match unbeaten run.