Trappy ever after for Irish football

Giovanni Trapattoni’s appointment as Ireland manager ended an exhausting four month search. But in reality Irish fans have been waiting a lot longer for a top class coach. 

‘The wait is over’ the FAI President David Blood triumphantly announced at last week’s press conference. After an extensive search of the unemployed and the unemployable, the Irish team somehow managed to secure a world-class manager in Giovanni Trapattoni.

The Italian takes charge of a team who are at their lowest point for over ten years following Steve Staunton’s disastrous tenure, but, judging by his record, if anyone is capable of rejuvenating the Irish team, then it’s Trapattoni.

The current Red Bull Salzburg coach has a record to rival Alex Ferguson and one that is superior to England boss, and fellow Italian, Fabio Capello. He’s won ten league championships, in four different countries, a European cup and three UEFA cups.

As well as a Cup Winner’s Cup and four national cups. The only stain on his otherwise immaculate CV is his unsuccessful spell as Italian national coach from 2000 to 2004. Trapattoni only emerged as a candidate for the Irish post around two weeks before he was announced as Staunton’s successor. And throughout the whole lethargic ordeal one name seemed destined to fill the managerial void, Terry Venables.

The former England manager was the bookies favourite from the time Stan was sacked and wasn’t shy about expressing his interest for the role. But when both managers’ records are compared it clear who’s best equipped to drag the national side out of the doldrums. But that still hasn’t stopped some questioning Trapattoni’s age, the language barrier and his defensive tactics.

The former Juventus coach turns 69 on St. Patricks Day, but ex-Irish International, Ray Houghton, who interviewed him for the post, has no doubts about Trapattoni’s age saying: “People might question his age, but I can assure you his fitness is not in question because he is someone who runs and trains with the team.” Trapattoni’s passion for the game also doesn’t seem to have diminished with age. During games the Italian is most likely to be found stomping up and down touchlines, barking and whistling orders.

The questions over his age seem feeble, as the long time favourite, Venables, is only four years his junior and international management is essentially a part-time job that’s better suited to an older coach.
Trapattoni first game as Ireland boss will be the May friendly with Serbia at Croke Park. So what tactics can we expect the Italian to employ?

‘Il Trap’, as he’s known in Italy, has a reputation for being ultra defensive, as do most Italian coaches. But Trapattoni record proves that defensive football doesn’t necessarily mean negative football, and during his time at Juventus he signed playmakers such Liam Brady and Michel Platini.

But even if the Italian is defensive, the Irish players will now be organised, hard to beat and we know for certain that we’ll never see another horror show like the 5-2 demolition by Cyprus. At the press conference, where he announced himself as the next Ireland manager, Trapattoni spoke in broken English, but the possible language barrier shouldn’t be a problem for the players.

After all Staunton hardly had a Shakespearian-like grip of the English language. Trapattoni speaks the language of a winner, and that’s what’s important. “Ireland are not a second-rate team, they are supposed to be a first-rate team... 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.” the Italian said.

Given the Irish side’s recent history the above statement may seem very optimistic. But it’s already more positive than the drivel that Staunton spewed out, there’s no more talk of a ‘four year plan’, or that Ireland shouldn’t expect to qualify for World or European cups.

If, as expected, Ireland legend Liam Brady joins Trapattoni and his assistant Marco Tardelli, then the Irish national side will have a management team to rival any country in world football. In October 2005, FAI Chief Executive, John Delaney, promised Ireland a ‘world-class’ management team. It may have took a lot longer than expected, but better late than never.

- Robert Redmond