The Republic of Ireland manager Mick McCarthy has wholeheartedly accepted the idea of a homecoming welcome in Dublin when the Irish team arrives home later today [Tuesday].
But McCarthy has admitted that he realises that the honeymoon is over and the hard work starts again as soon as the dust settles on this summer's exciting events.
The Irish team is due to arrive in Dublin this evening and will be transferred to Phoenix Park where an estimated crowd of 50,000 will welcome them.
McCarthy believes his players deserve the reception. He said: "It has become the norm from the very first time. I remember big Jack [Charlton] on the bus in 1990 saying: `We have not won anything, why are you all here?' He was so surprised.
"I think we've had a good World Cup and can go home with our heads held high and feel very proud about the way we've played. If the people at home want to give us a welcome back I'd be delighted to accept it."
McCarthy said that his "backside will be back in the bacon slicer" once again when the process towards qualification for Portugal 2004 begins.
After Ireland went out to Spain, there will be a period of grace for the team and the manager but McCarthy is then expecting to kick into gear again as he prepares what will be a new-look squad after the retirements from international football of Steve Staunton, Alan Kelly and Niall Quinn.
One player who McCarthy wants to be able to consider is Jason McAteer, who has hinted he may give up international football. The Republic boss says the Sunderland midfielder would be advised to reconsider.
He said: "I would sincerely hope Jason is not going to retire. He is 31 and has still got plenty to offer. If you see what Stan [Staunton], Niall and Alan have achieved until the ripe old age of 36 then I think it is foolish for anybody to retire too early."
Ireland have an August friendly lined up against Finland in Helsinki in August and the first Euro 2004 qualifier - against Russia in Moscow – takes place the following month.
McCarthy "It is a very fickle world that I live in and my slate starts again in September, irrespective of what we have achieved here," said McCarthy.
"Everybody for the moment thinks we have done well but that will be wiped clean and we start again in Moscow in September.
"Three weeks ago, before this World Cup started, had we not drawn against Cameroon and Germany and got through to the last 16, my backside was back in the bacon slicer, so let's not look at it any differently.
"We have played well here and what we need to do now is qualify for the European Championships and continue to play as well as we have.
"It will be a tough qualifying campaign and we'll have to maintain those performances in qualifying games.
"I am committed to 2004 and I want to go to Portugal with this team because I think we have got a very good chance of being successful in the group we are in and getting to these championships, and if we do we'll take it from there.
"I have been quoted as saying if we don't get there I won't be around. I'll be judged now and it is a very fickle game."
McCarthy has the experience of a major finals to take with him if Ireland carry on their achievements by reaching the 2004 finals.
He said: "This World Cup has been a massive experience for me. I didn't expect it to be as tough and as difficult as it was, being together and living in a goldfish bowl for five weeks, but I am sure somewhere down the line it will make me a better manager, a better coach and hopefully a better person for all the experience."
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