Vacant Irish manager position

Tyler Durden

Now we have some Irish people on here do we not? (and not the plastic variety like myself).

What's the opinion on Trapattoni getting your manager position?

Does anybody else have a view? The expectation level may be lower than that inherited by Capello, but how succesful do you think Giovanni will be?

By Tony Leen, Sports Editor

SOCCER chiefs last night pulled off their own Italian job by securing legendary coach Giovanni Trapattoni as the next Republic of Ireland head coach.

The 68-year-old met in Austria last night with the three-man FAI selection committee and agreed in principle to hook up with the Republic once his contract with Salzburg finishes in May.

The deal is a coup for FAI chiefs, who have been under intense pressure over the protracted process to find Steve Staunton’s successor. However, they were determined to see out the process to the end and have said there would be no knee-jerk appointments.

Association chief executive John Delaney will fly out to meet Trapattoni’s representatives in the next 24 hours and agree a contract and financial package for the former Italian coach. He is likely to be given a three- or four-year deal, worth in excess of e1.4m per year, with bonuses.

The FAI’s board of management will meet tomorrow or Wednesday to ratify the nomination of the selection committee of Don Givens, Don Howe and Ray Houghton. It means disappointment for ex-England coach Terry Venables, who was the other remaining candidate.

Former Irish midfielder Liam Brady will be part of Trapattoni’s backroom team and will perform a similar general manager role to that which Oliver Bierhoff fulfils with Germany. However, uncertainty remains whether ex-Italy defender Claudio Gentile will come as Trapattoni’s assistant.

Trapattoni’s Austrian commitments conclude at the end of April, ensuring he will be in place as Ireland manager well in advance of the May 24 friendly against Serbia at Croke Park.

The Trapattoni deal is critical for the FAI. With sponsorship deals either up for renewal or dependent on future success, wooing an internationally renowned manager was pivotal. It is understood the FAI have already had contact from potential investors on the basis of Trapattoni being coach.

The Italian, who turns 69 on St Patrick’s Day, boasts an awesome CV in European football. He won six Serie A titles with Juventus, another with Inter Milan, and won championships in Germany with Bayern Munich, Portugal with Benfica and with his present Austrian club, Red Bull Salzburg.

Examiner.ie

Crocker

I hope im proved wrong with me being part Irish myself, but I see Trapattoni doing as well for the Irish as Berti Vogts did for the Scotish.

Looking at the Ireland squad Stephen Reid, Robbie Keane, Richard Dunne, Shay Given, Stephen Ireland etc they have some good players, but does Trapattoni know these players well enough? Can he get thebest out of these players?

Tyler Durden

I don't know Stephen Ireland's position about playing for his country. Is he available now?

Crocker

I believe he wants to play for Irelnd again now

Tyler Durden

I'm just glad to hear his Grannies are okay and his hair isn't falling out as much

Crocker

His hair is incredible and the song we sing about him at City now is

Mikk

WC's Sexy Beast

I think they could do very well and Mick McCarthy proved that a few world cups ago. Given time i can see them qualifying for the next world cup no problem.

Crocker

You do relise only one team from each group will qualify and that the second paced teams will have play offs to get through dont you?

I say this because Italy are in their group, so qualifying no probem shold prove a bit difficult

Tyler Durden

Who are there truly good players then (genuine question...not micky taking)?

Robbie Keane - yes
Richard Dunne - yes
Shay Given - yes, maybe not so good this season
Damian Duff - Was, could be again

Everyone else, Doyle, SReid, AReid, Ireland, Hunt et al, have potential.

They could really do with persuading Finnan not to maintain his early retirement.

For me, it's going to be hugely difficult to get that group of players through, particularly if either of Keane or Dunne are injured. As such, I guess that is Trapatoni's barometer of success. If he get's them through (regardless of how they do) that's a massive success.

Crocker

How many of the players would actually get in the England team?

Shay Given - He proberly would
Robbie Keane - Squad Player at best
Richard Dunne - See Keane
Damian Duff - A few years ago yes, not so much these days

Nobody else would get anywhere near the squad