Giovanni Trapattoni knows he is 'on the edge of the cliffs' and failure to reach Euro 2012 could cost him his job as Republic of Ireland boss.
The experienced Italian will attempt to guide the Republic into their first major tournament finals for 10 years when they launch their play-off bid against Estonia in Tallinn on Friday night.
Speculation has suggested that he will only be offered a contract extension if he successfully comes through the two-legged tie, which concludes at Dublin's Aviva Stadium next Tuesday.
Trapattoni accepts that his job is on the line but, even at the age of 72, he believes there might still be another big day in his illustrious career if he leaves the Ireland job.
Asked if it had dawned on him that the two games against Estonia could be his last as Ireland manager, he said: "Yes, yes.
"But I am not nervous about this because I know football. I was talking the other day about standing on the edge of the cliffs - that's our life, it's a manager's life.
"Our life is dangerous. I have a habit of looking down on dangerous situations.
"But I think I will live, if not here, then maybe there is another. I don't know where, but sure, I am not stopping here."
There is a feeling within the Irish camp that they may never have a better opportunity to reach another finals after getting the draw they wanted from the options available and home advantage in the second leg.
Trapattoni, however, is not a man to take anything for granted and he is expecting a difficult tie against the unheralded Estonians.
He said: "In football every Sunday, or in England Saturday, you see little teams beat the great teams. That's football. For me, it is no surprise.
"But we must think these 180 minutes is our life, players, manager, the Irish people.
"I will be very proud if we achieve this result because it means up until now we have done our jobs well.
Ireland's last play-off, of course, ended in bitter disappointment when they were edged out by France on a night of high drama in Paris two years ago.
Perhaps understandably, Trapattoni was asked if the publicity that surrounded the controversy over Thierry Henry's infamous handball might mean there was less chance of the Republic ending up on the wrong end of a decision this time around.
Trapattoni's response was measured, as he said: "Referees can make mistakes, but I don't have any preconceptions about the referee."
