It started with a kiss.
One hundred and seventy days after the end of the Staunton era and at last the FAI have introduced a successor. Not just any successor though, in terms of management experience it's like going from the ridiculous to the sublime.
Giovanni Trapattoni's first public outing as Ireland's new gaffer was at the RDS in Ballsbridge in leafy Dublin 4, a sometime international soccer arena and former home of the Hoops, Shamrock Rovers.
When Trap arrived to the venue from the Anglesea Road gate the security men bristled with excitement as the legion of FAI handlers moved into position. The Italian legend emerged from the sponsored Ford Mondeo car to be greeted by FAI President David Blood.
Much to the surprise of Ireland's soccer media, Don Trapattoni kissed him warmly on both cheeks. Things are going to be different around here it seems!
The 69-year-old, Ireland's first continental manager, brings with him a wealth of experience. His fifty years in football as a player and a manager has seen more success than most people could ever dream of. Seven Serie A titles - six with Juventus and one with Inter - and league titles won in Germany, Portugal and Austria brooks no argument.
He set about his media duties with enthusiasm and on first impressions it's hard not to be impressed with the man. He is courteous as well as intelligent and the warmth of his welcome for hacks as well as for the head of the FAI is genuine. Long may it continue.
Of course the media are only the conduit through which the Republic of Ireland management and players communicate with the fans and the much heralded grassroots of Irish football but for the sake of that relationship its to be hoped that Trapattoni's honeymoon period with the Irish hacks lasts as long as it takes to repair the almost irreconcilable differences that have emerged over the last number of years.
The easiest way to win over the media and the fans of course is to qualify for the World Cup in South Africa in two years time, a tall order no matter the pedigree of the manager.
He asked that the players trust him from the beginning and believe in his ability to marshal the talent of the group. There is a sense that he feels the players didn't perhaps buy in to the philosophy or method of the last couple of managers but if they fail to be impressed by his message then maybe they are just petulant overpaid prima donnas.
The backroom staff assembled to assist Trapattoni is the most experienced and no doubt expensive ever put together by the Football Association. Marco Tardelli, Liam Brady, Fausto Rossi, Alan Kelly, Frank Stapleton, Don Givens Mick Martin, Mick Lawlor, if you took twenty (or thirty) years off each of them you’d have quite a formidable line up on the pitch. It will be interesting to see how they gel off it.
Now the time for excuses is over. The Republic of Ireland squad will be given every opportunity to perform to the limit of their potential. The training camp in Portugal will be a very useful indicator of how quickly the squad are prepared to get caught up in the Trap.
Already there are indications that several players will pull out for various reasons. Lee Carsley is said to have made it clear that after a long season with Everton that he is suffering from fatigue.
To be fair to him though he did reverse his decision to retire from international football and it will be interesting to see if Trapattoni's powers of persuasion can convince the likes of Steve Finnan and Andy O'Brien to come back to the fold.
And of course the Stephen Ireland question loomed large on Trap's first full day in charge. In many ways the Ireland issue is likely to define the Ireland era under Trapattoni.
There's no question but that the Cobh youngster is one of the most talented to emerge in recent years and his contribution under Staunton was immense. Equally his ability in the Premier League with Manchester City proves he's got the right stuff.
But it's not as simple as that. Ireland is a troubled and complicated soul and if ever there was a test of management then this is it. Trapattoni must give Ireland every chance to return to the fold and if he's to use his friendship with Sven Goran Ericcson to do so he'd better hurry, chances are the Swede hasn't long in the job.
If however Ireland rejects the overture then it will be time to quickly draw a line through his international career and move on. That would be a pity though. In order to qualify for South Africa in 2010 Ireland needs all the help Trapattoni can give.
Best of luck sir.
Tony O'Donoghue is Group Football Correspondent for RTÉ.
