The FAI have remained tight-lipped over claims Giovanni Trapattoni has agreed in principle to manage the Republic of Ireland.

FAI chief executive John Delaney said he had spoken with Ireland's caretaker coach Don Givens, who heads the three-man panel appointed to find a new manager.

Delaney said the panel, known as the "three wise men", had conducted "various interviews" over the last couple of days.

"I am not going to say where they were or where they weren't," he said. "I think we are entering the concluding phase of the search for the next Irish manager."

Delaney said the FAI would hold a board meeting on Wednesday.

Trapattoni's current club Red Bull Salzburg - with whom his contract expires in May - declined to comment.

The Irish Examiner, without citing any sources, has reported that former Italy coach Trapattoni met with the panel on Sunday evening in Austria.

It said Delaney would fly out to meet with Trapattoni's representatives and agree a contract.

Trapattoni is likely to be confirmed as manager by the end of the week with the FAI prepared to pay up to 2 million euros (£1.3m) a year to secure his services.

Givens told the FAI on February 3 the work of the panel would be completed within 10 days with an appointment "imminent".

Trapattoni, 68, has won seven Serie A crowns with Juventus and Inter Milan, a German Bundesliga title with Bayern Munich and a Portuguese championship with Benfica.

His honours include European Cup, UEFA Cup and Cup Winners' Cup triumphs during his 10-year spell at Juventus and a second UEFA Cup title with Inter.

On Sunday, former England coach Terry Venables reiterated his desire to succeed Steve Staunton but it now appears he has lost out on the position.

While in charge of Juventus he brought Irish midfield legend Liam Brady to Italy, and the former Celtic and Brighton boss is expected to join the new management team in a general manager role.

Brady is familiar with the Irish players through his role as a television pundit for Irish state broadcaster RTE and he can also speak fluent Italian which will help compensate for Trapattoni's lack of English.

Brady, who won 72 caps for Ireland, is currently in charge of youth development with Arsenal.

Ireland are in the same World Cup qualifying group as Italy, who Trapattoni managed with mixed results between 2000-2004.

Bulgaria, Cyprus, Georgia, and Montenegro make up the other four teams in the Group.

Seán Fay / Reuters