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| McCarthy makes his way through the assembled media scrum at Merrion Square this evening - Inpho |
Mick McCarthy confirmed his resignation as Republic of Ireland manager at a press conference in Dublin this evening, saying he is walking away after over six years in the job with his "head held high".
McCarthy's reign as Ireland manager was brought to a premature conclusion this afternoon after he agreed a compensation package with the FAI, believed to be in the region of Stg£100,000.
At a press conference in the Burlington Hotel, the 43-year explained that the decision to quit had been reached after the recent home defeat at the hands of Switzerland when booing and jeers from the Irish fans effectively forced his hand.
He dismissed suggestions that he had been forced out by the FAI, saying the motivation to move on was entirely for the good of the team he leaves behind.
"It was my decision and my decision only," he insisted. "I've not been axed or pushed. I said after the last game that if some of the stuff going on surrounding my presence was affecting the performances, I'd consider my position.
"I wasn't going to [resign] immediately after the game, that would have been a knee-jerk reaction, so I went away and thought about it but my opinion never changed.
"But I walk away happy, because I always gave my best, and if you can say that, then you can walk away with your head held high."
Earlier, after initially going to ground, the FAI finally acknowledged McCarthy's departure, issuing a statement saying his resignation had been "in the best interests of the Irish team".
FAI President Milo Corcoran insisted McCarthy's six and a half year reign should be remembered for the "excellent results" and not for the series of events in Saipan that led to Roy Keane being sent home from the World Cup.
He said: "Mick McCarthy's tenure as manager of the Irish team should be judged on the excellent results achieved during his period as manager.
"He has taken the Irish team to 14th in the world and his results over a period of almost seven years speak volumes for his abilities as a manager.
"He deserves enormous credit for the success he achieved with the team since 1996 culminating in our success in reaching the last 16 of the World Cup finals of 2002."