Trap in the door

Trapattoni: Emerald Isle bound

After a long and arduous search for a new manager, Ireland have finally secured the signature of experienced Italian coach Giovanni Trapattoni.

A mammoth 113 days after the departure of Steve Staunton, Trapattoni’s premature announcement that he had accepted the role caught his new employers on the back foot.

The Italian spoke from his current club in Salzburg, letting the cat out of the bag before a planned FAI press conference. Trapattoni will honour his contract with the Austrian side before taking the reigns for Ireland’s friendly with Serbia on May 24.

‘Ireland are not a second-rate team, they are supposed to be a first-rate team,’ he said.

‘Qualifying for the World Cup in 2010 will be hard, and playing against the Italian team will make me proud, but it should be possible for Ireland to come first.’

Trapattoni is a manager of undeniable pedigree, his CV is impressive; The veteran Italian has lifted six Serie A titles with Juventus and one with Inter Milan. He also led Bayern Munich, Benfica and Salzburg to league championships.

On the big stage in Europe his honours include the European Cup, three UEFA Cups and a Cup Winners' Cup victory during his reign at Juve and Inter.

Trapattoni also managed the Italian international side from 2000-2004. Such experience doesn’t come cheap and his salary will be partly subsidised by Irish telecoms millionaire Denis O'Brien.

Arsenal and Ireland legend Liam Brady is expected to join the set-up, Brady played under the Italian at Juventus in the early 80s and speaks Italian.

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