New Republic of Ireland boss Steve Staunton has warned the players he will not be afraid to dish out a rollicking if required.
Although Staunton retired from international football four years ago after winning a record 102 caps, he will still know, and be friendly with, most of the current squad.
The key to Staunton's initial first few months in charge of his four-year contract will be whether he can command respect as a manager.
It again brings into question his inexperience at managerial level, despite a glorious playing career.
But Staunton knows he has to put his friendships to one side if he is to become a success, with Bobby Robson someone he can lean on, which is why the former England boss is his advisor.
Defiantly, he said: "It's very easy for me to tell somebody what to do and where to go. I have always had that in my make-up.
"There will sometimes be difficult decisions, but I have a great advisor who will guide me in what to say and how to say it.
"There might be occasions when I'm a bit naive in what I say to a player, but we have to keep them on board.
"It's not as if I've £20million I can go out and spend on players. We need everybody on board who is Irish, and who wants to play for this country."
Which is why Staunton will be heading down what he describes as 'the granny route', exploring the family tree of players to see if they qualify to play for the Republic.
"We want to get a squad together to take us forward, and that includes looking into the grandparent ruling which I feel strongly about," added Staunton.
"It's served us very well in the past. As we all know, as a small nation we've all had uncles and aunts who had to move away, so why shouldn't their kids be proud to play for this country as well."
After failing to qualify for the 2004 European Championships and this summer's World Cup, resulting in Brian Kerr's departure in October, the odds at this stage are long on reaching the Euro 2008 finals.
Staunton is already warning of the difficulties that lie ahead, seeing his role in the long term and qualification for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
"We are looking to the future," insisted Staunton, who turns 37 on Thursday.
"We're not daft, we know qualifying for the European Championships is going to be very difficult, but we are going to give it our best shot.
"Ultimately, we are looking at 2010. We're looking at developing players and bringing them through and being ready for that tournament, not that we won't be ready for the next one coming."
