Defiant Italy coach Giovanni Trapattoni has insisted he will not resign - despite his team crashing out of the World Cup to South Korea.
The 2-1 second-round defeat marks the first time the Italians have failed to make the quarter-finals since 1986.
"I have signed a contract," said Trapattoni, who has two years left on his deal.
"It is not up to me. I remain full of enthusiasm."
Unlike his recent predecessors, who also failed to bring the world title home to an expectant public, Trapattoni is refusing to quit his post.
But the decision may be taken out of his hands.
Franco Carraro, the president of the Italian Football Federation, is to present his view of the team's faiure later this week - and the coach's fate may be settled then.
Trapattoni said he was satisfied with the way his team had performed in the tournament and wanted to continue his work.
"Anyone who was here saw how we prepared and how we played," he said.
"There are the European Championships ahead and we have to start off again and take the initiative."
And he said that overall the World Cup had been a "great experience" for the Italy squad.
"We worked very well, we worked hard, we had a laugh at times and we were in harmony. It's just a shame about the result.
"We had the right attitude and enthusiasm -- all in all it was a great experience," said Trapattoni, who is the most successful coach in Serie A history.
Trapattoni again chose to focus on what he called the referees' "huge errors" - after Italy had five goals disallowed in the tournament.
"There is a lot of bitterness and anger on the part of everyone. I have felt this as a player also," said Trapattoni.