Giovanni Trapattoni to Ireland?

Image courtesy of Wikipedia.

Update: 13 February 2008

Trapattoni Named Republic of Ireland Manager. Please read my article on Soccerlens.

Famous Press Conference at Bayern Munich



According to Sky Sports, Giovanni Trapattoni may be sitting on the Republic of Ireland bench.

"Having engaged in discussions with key figures within the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) hierarchy, Trapattoni is believed to be warming to the idea of becoming Steve Staunton's successor."

Incredible Coaching Dossier

Mr. Trapattoni, or "Trap," was a former defender and midfielder for AC Milan. He won the European Cup with them, along with several Serie A titles. He was also capped 14 times for the Azzurri. He has won 10 domestic titles as a manager in 4 different countries. He is known as a very cautious and defensive coach, but one who has achieved significant results except at the National team level. His four years on the Azzurri bench were marred by a controversial defeat to South Korea at World Cup 2002, along with a humiliating first round exit at Euro 2004 in Portugal.

Here is a list of his coaching jobs:

• AC Milan
• Juventus (Won the European Cup in 1985 at Heysel against Liverpool. Also won 2 UEFA Cups, and several Serie A titles).
  
• Internazionale (Won the UEFA Cup and Serie A title).
  
• Bayern Munich (Won the Bundesliga Championship).
  
• Cagliari of Sardinia
  
• Fiorentina
• The Italian National Team
• Benfica (Won the Portuguese SuperLiga Championship).
  
• Stuttgart
• Red Bull Salzburg (Won the Austrian Bundesliga Championship).

Unpretentious Despite His Fame

When he was the coach of the Azzurri, he had an office in the back room of a friend's muffler shop in Milan. The players used to call him on his cellphone. Despite being in his 60s, he still participated during intrasquad games. He has a custom of sprinkling holy water on the touchline to remove "negativity" before each game.

If Mr. Trapattoni goes to Ireland, it will be a very interesting development. Guess who faces each other in World Cup 2010 qualification?

Italy and Ireland.

Update: 3 February 2008

Mr. Don Givens and the search committee of the FAI will announce the next coach within 10 days.