Italian legend Giovanni Trapattoni is expected to be named as Republic of Ireland boss on Wednesday, ending a long wait for a successor to Steve Staunton, who was sacked in October.

There are numerous parallels to be made with England’s appointment of Fabio Capello. The 68-year-old ‘Trap’, along with Don Fabio, does not have a great command of English. And in a similar move to bringing in Stuart Pearce into the England set-up, press reports suggest that Liam Brady is due to join the Irish coaching staff.

Whilst there has been some criticism from some quarters (most notably from Staunton), over the decision to appoint the former Juventus, Inter Milan and Bayern Munich coach - not least because he does not speak English - the Republic have appointed a manager with an unbelievable track record.

'The veteran Italian has some great players to work with and enough quality to build a formidable team'


Trapattoni is the only manager to have won all three European trophies (European Cup, Cup Winners’ Cup and UEFA Cup) and has achieved league titles in Italy, Germany, Portugal and Austria. In all, he has won an astonishing nine league championships.

If one takes a glance at a list of previous Republic of Ireland managers, he comes with a CV far superior to any former incumbent. Brian Kerr and Staunton were big disappointments with no experience in managing a top club side. And Mick McCarthy was not a good enough man manager to deal with big-name players such as Roy Keane.

In many ways the FAI have pulled off a real coup by bringing in Trappatoni. Of course, the last non-Irish manager to take over the job was Jack Charlton - and if Trappatoni can guide the Republic to the quarter-finals of a World Cup, then he will be doing an outstanding job.

The veteran Italian also has some great players to work with and enough quality to build a formidable team. Shay Given, Richard Dunne and Robbie Keane are first-rate international players and Trappatoni will hopefully give midfield roles to Daryl Murphy, Stephen Ireland and Aiden McGeady, who could form the nucleus of an energetic, youthful midfield.

In addition, if the new manager can bring the best out of players like Damien Duff and John O’Shea, he could lead the Irish to the 2010 World Cup finals.

Hopefully, Trappatoni will have learned from his unsuccessful stint as manager of Italy. The Azzurri only reached the second round of the 2002 World Cup and failed to get past the group stage at Euro 2004. Italy marked these tournaments by playing an over-defensive ugly style, relying on a strong defence, reverting to the old-school ‘catenaccio’ way of playing.

He faces a tough task to get the Irish to the World Cup as they have been drawn alongside Italy and Bulgaria in Group Eight. If he’s given enough time in the job, he could take the Republic to South Africa 2010 and to Euro 2012 in Poland and the Ukraine. (Amazingly they have only ever qualified for the Euros once - in 1988.)

Trappatoni has shown a willingness to face up to new challenges in both Austria and Germany, where he has been a success. If he can learn English quickly, then he could be a fine appointment. The FAI were ridiculed for weeks for not appointing a manager - but they now have the best man for the job.

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