Post by thales on Feb 12, 2008 18:15:00 GMT -1
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Widespread approval for Trapattoni
Tuesday, 12 February 2008 17:41
The impending appointment of Giovanni Trapattoni as the new manager of the Republic of Ireland has met with widespread approval.
Veteran Italian Trapattoni is due to be confirmed - although not necessarily unveiled - at a press conference at the headquarters of the Football Association of Ireland in Abbotstown tomorrow.
The 68-year-old's arrival will undoubtedly appease the detractors who had voiced their unhappiness at the time taken by the FAI to find a successor to Steve Staunton, who was sacked in October.
Trapattoni's CV is virtually impeccable, littered with league titles and various European trophies from his time in charge of Juventus, Inter Milan, Bayern Munich, Benfica and currently Red Bull Salzburg.
Ironically, one of his few failings - if you could call it as such - was as manager of Italy, who he led to a shock last-16 defeat to South Korea at the 2002 World Cup.
Worse followed for Trapattoni at Euro 2004 as Italy failed to qualify for the quarter-finals from the group stages, and understandably his contract was not renewed.
Now, though, he arguably faces one of his greatest tasks by taking on the role of coach of an Ireland side who have fallen from grace in recent years.
But former greats Frank Stapleton, Johnny Giles and Kevin Moran all believe Trapattoni is the man to restore pride again in the Irish national team.
'His ability as a manager and coach are second to none,' said former Republic striker Stapleton.
'It's a CV that stands up to great scrutiny, and for us it's a great appointment. For me, it's the level we've needed to be looking at, somebody who has done it before and who will give us a totally different view.
'Sometimes, because we're in the British isles, we tend to focus on only what goes on in our games.
'But this guy has a global outlook and he will bring that to our team.'
Ireland legend Giles also spoke in glowing terms as he said: 'You always hope you get someone like that. At the start of the process, Trapattoni didn't seem to be in the frame at all, but I think it's great that he's come in late and all's well that ends well.
'He's an experienced man and he's been a great manager over the years, and hopefully he'll be a great manager for us now.'
Defensive stalwart Moran added: 'He's a winner. When you look at what he has done, his pedigree is fantastic. He would be a completely different appointment to what we've had before, but England have done something similar by appointing (Fabio) Capello.
'I'm not saying that just because it's Capello for England that Trapattoni is good enough for us, but I have no doubts he would be an excellent choice.'
It is understood FAI chief executive John Delaney today met with Trapattoni in Salzburg to iron out the contractual details.
However, with the Italian committed to see out his contract with Salzburg through to the conclusion of the Austrian League season in April, he is not immediately available to start work.
Nor is the veteran likely to be on hand in Abbotstown on Wednesday as he is scheduled to appear at a press conference in Salzburg.
Following the mid-winter break, the Austrian Bundesliga resumes on Friday, with Salzburg at home to SV Mattersburg and with their eyes solely on reclaiming their title.
Salzburg team manager Heinz Hochhauser said: 'With all due respect for Ireland, no-one in Salzburg is interested in who is their next manager.
'Our only interest is becoming champions again.'
Trapattoni is expected to take fitness coach Fausto Rossi with him to Dublin, while also appointing former star Claudio Gentile as his assistant.
Former Republic legend Liam Brady, who played under Trapattoni at Juventus in the early 1980s, is also expected to form part of the backroom team, potentially as general manager.
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Story from RTÉ Sport:
www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2008/0212/stapletonf.html
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;D ;D ;DWidespread approval for Trapattoni
Tuesday, 12 February 2008 17:41
The impending appointment of Giovanni Trapattoni as the new manager of the Republic of Ireland has met with widespread approval.
Veteran Italian Trapattoni is due to be confirmed - although not necessarily unveiled - at a press conference at the headquarters of the Football Association of Ireland in Abbotstown tomorrow.
The 68-year-old's arrival will undoubtedly appease the detractors who had voiced their unhappiness at the time taken by the FAI to find a successor to Steve Staunton, who was sacked in October.
Trapattoni's CV is virtually impeccable, littered with league titles and various European trophies from his time in charge of Juventus, Inter Milan, Bayern Munich, Benfica and currently Red Bull Salzburg.
Ironically, one of his few failings - if you could call it as such - was as manager of Italy, who he led to a shock last-16 defeat to South Korea at the 2002 World Cup.
Worse followed for Trapattoni at Euro 2004 as Italy failed to qualify for the quarter-finals from the group stages, and understandably his contract was not renewed.
Now, though, he arguably faces one of his greatest tasks by taking on the role of coach of an Ireland side who have fallen from grace in recent years.
But former greats Frank Stapleton, Johnny Giles and Kevin Moran all believe Trapattoni is the man to restore pride again in the Irish national team.
'His ability as a manager and coach are second to none,' said former Republic striker Stapleton.
'It's a CV that stands up to great scrutiny, and for us it's a great appointment. For me, it's the level we've needed to be looking at, somebody who has done it before and who will give us a totally different view.
'Sometimes, because we're in the British isles, we tend to focus on only what goes on in our games.
'But this guy has a global outlook and he will bring that to our team.'
Ireland legend Giles also spoke in glowing terms as he said: 'You always hope you get someone like that. At the start of the process, Trapattoni didn't seem to be in the frame at all, but I think it's great that he's come in late and all's well that ends well.
'He's an experienced man and he's been a great manager over the years, and hopefully he'll be a great manager for us now.'
Defensive stalwart Moran added: 'He's a winner. When you look at what he has done, his pedigree is fantastic. He would be a completely different appointment to what we've had before, but England have done something similar by appointing (Fabio) Capello.
'I'm not saying that just because it's Capello for England that Trapattoni is good enough for us, but I have no doubts he would be an excellent choice.'
It is understood FAI chief executive John Delaney today met with Trapattoni in Salzburg to iron out the contractual details.
However, with the Italian committed to see out his contract with Salzburg through to the conclusion of the Austrian League season in April, he is not immediately available to start work.
Nor is the veteran likely to be on hand in Abbotstown on Wednesday as he is scheduled to appear at a press conference in Salzburg.
Following the mid-winter break, the Austrian Bundesliga resumes on Friday, with Salzburg at home to SV Mattersburg and with their eyes solely on reclaiming their title.
Salzburg team manager Heinz Hochhauser said: 'With all due respect for Ireland, no-one in Salzburg is interested in who is their next manager.
'Our only interest is becoming champions again.'
Trapattoni is expected to take fitness coach Fausto Rossi with him to Dublin, while also appointing former star Claudio Gentile as his assistant.
Former Republic legend Liam Brady, who played under Trapattoni at Juventus in the early 1980s, is also expected to form part of the backroom team, potentially as general manager.
printable version
share this
Story from RTÉ Sport:
www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2008/0212/stapletonf.html
