2005-06 Ireland Training Shirt

The Republic of Ireland's bid to reach the 2006 World Cup unraveled across a difficult qualifying campaign in a group headed by France. Brian Kerr's tenure as manager came under increasing pressure as results faltered, and he was relieved of his duties in October 2005 with qualification slipping away.

Steve Staunton was appointed as Kerr's successor in January 2006, working alongside the experienced Bobby Robson as he began the rebuilding process. By then the campaign was already lost, with France progressing automatically and Switzerland taking the play-off spot, leaving Ireland to regroup for the next cycle under new management.