Martin O’Neill is facing probably the biggest crisis of his managerial career when he leads Ireland out against Poland tonight.
Just short of five years in the job the former Celtic boss is facing criticism of an unprecedented level with almost every aspect of his management under question.
At the centre of the current storm is Roy Keane, the unlikely choice to be assistant manager.
Almost every set of international fixtures seems to involve a Keane controversy, the current one centres on his treatment of Harry Arter when the midfielder was getting treatment for an injury.
Slowly the story has leaked out, at the weekend audio from a Whatapp group made a difficult situation almost impossible.
O’Neill’s methods are rarely pretty but they are usually effective, when they become less effective the reaction isn’t sympathetic.
Qualifying for Euro 16 was typical of O’Neill, taking just one point from six from Scotland was balanced out by taking four from World Cup holders Germany.
In France a 1-0 group stage win over Italy took Ireland into the last 16, a place most fans would be happy with.
There was a spin off for the World Cup qualifying campaign but a 0-0 play-off draw in Copenhagen was followed by a disastrous 5-1 defeat in the return match against the average Danes.
After relying on Richard Dunne and Robbie Keane for a decade heroes are thin on the ground, Jon Walters provided the goals to reach France but there are no emerging talents coming through.
O’Neill let it be known that he had turned down the chance to manage Stoke City but there was no real gratitude from Irish fans.
Last week’s 4-1 defeat from Wales in the Nations Cup was uncomfortable, worryingly pundits like Liam Brady and Tony Cascarino questioned the commitment of the players. Whatever else no Irish team has ever had it’s commitment to the green jersey doubted.
The old O’Neill would come roaring back from such adversity, later tonight we’ll know if the old warrior still has the fire to continue in a job that pays him five times as much as Ryan Giggs picks up from the Welsh FA.