Stephen Kenny says it will require "something extraordinary" for Ireland to qualify automatically from their Euro 2024 group.
On Sunday morning, Ireland were handed the toughest of tests as they were drawn in Group B for the qualifiers along with the Netherlands, France, Greece and Gibraltar.
The top two teams in each of the 10 groups automatically qualify for the Euro 2024 finals in Germany. The last three spots will be decided by playoffs with participation based on Nations League rankings.
"In order to finish in the top two, we have to achieve something extraordinary, and it has to be our ambition to do that," said Kenny.
"We've shown the ability to get results against Portugal, Serbia, Scotland, and even play well recently against Belgium. We can take encouragement from these performances when we go against France and Holland, and Greece.
"There's only eight games, and it's not like the World Cup where we had three games in six days, which was a real, tough physical challenge. In some windows, we've only got one game, and in others two."
Euro 2024 draw 'unkind' to Ireland
27 September 2022; Republic of Ireland manager Stephen Kenny celebrates his side's first goal, scored by John Egan, not pictured, during the UEFA Nations League B Group 1 match between Republic of Ireland and Armenia at Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile
Speaking to RTÉ, Kenny added: "It's a tough a draw as we could have got. We're looking forward to big games in Dublin next year. France, Holland, Greece coming to the Aviva.
"Everyone wanted to avoid France as the second seed. There's no doubt about that. The type of group that it is, teams are going to take points off each other. Greece are strong as well.
"It's our big dream to get to the Euros. The draw has been unkind to us, but that's life, you've got to take every challenge that life throws at you.
"We've got a tough group, but we're improving."
"It's a tough group but they're very exciting games and a challenge we'll look forward to..."
Ireland manager Stephen Kenny on the @EURO2024 draw ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/uOhunniNvT
— FAIreland ⚽️🇮🇪 (@FAIreland) October 9, 2022
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