Ireland soccer boss Giovanni Trapattoni has come out fighting as fans call for his resignation after a record 6-1 defeat to Germany in Dublin.

Pundit Eamon Dunphy even called for Mick McCarthy’s return for boss in the wake of the Aviva Stadium humiliation.

Dunphy said: “I wasn’t a Mick McCarthy fan in the past but I would have him back now. There has to be a change.”

Ireland were 6-0 down at the Aviva on Friday night before a late Andy Keogh goal restored some sort of pride.

The defeat is the heaviest ever in competition on Irish soil and was marked by booing from the sold-out stands.

Trapattoni claimed the absence of six injured players was a major factor but even striker Jon Walters admitted the performance was ‘embarrassing’.

After a disastrous Euros, pressure is now mounting on Trapattoni ahead of Tuesday’s tricky World Cup trip to play the Faroe Islands in Torshavn.

But Trapattoni is refusing to quit and tried instead to turn the flak on his players.

When asked if he would now resign, an angry Trapattoni said: “Why? I’m sure the players can answer us. They have commitment. I am proud of this team.

“I don’t look for excuses but we were missing Dunne, missing St Ledger, missing Keane, missing Whelan.

“It’s a long way to Tipperary. Germany have gone, but we are in there fighting with Austria and Sweden for qualification. Why not?

“The players have to answer us and I am sure they can. We need to see their commitment in a very important situation here.

“I am proud of those players because their commitment is full, 100%. I don’t accept players without this commitment.”

Asked why he wants to stay on, Trapattoni said: “Because I am proud of this team and the results it has achieved.

“It’s not about money - it’s about pride and being professional in my job. I was in four countries and I won in every country.”

Striker Walters said: “Being beaten 6-1? Embarrassing. We let the team down, ourselves down, the manager down, we let the country down.

Embarrassing.

“We were all over the show, we couldn’t get near them. We went 2-0 down and it was all over and near the end it was a slow pace. I have never been in a match like that before.”