Giovanni Trapattoni Agrees New Contract

[Niall]

Republic of Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni has agreed a two-year extension to his current contract with the FAI.

Speculation had been rife that a new deal was near completion, but RTÉ Sport understands that the Italian has signed a two-year extension to his current deal, which was due to expire at the end of the current World Cup campaign.

The deal with Trapattoni will again be part funded by Denis O'Brien, who was instrumental in securing the Italian's services 18 months ago.

Welcoming the new contract, John Delaney, Chief Executive of the Football Association of Ireland, said: 'We are very happy to agree a contract extension with Giovanni Trapattoni. The players and everyone on the FAI Board of Management have been tremendously impressed by the professionalism, dedication and commitment of Giovanni Trapattoni and his team.

'We thank Denis O'Brien for his continuing contribution which will guarantee the services of one of the world's most successful managers, through until 2012.'

Trapattoni revealed: 'I am delighted to continue my job with the FAI. This squad has huge potential. Our results demonstrate what self belief and structure can achieve and I am really looking forward to continuing the work we have begun.'

Welcoming the renewed appointment, businessman O'Brien said: 'When the appointment of Giovanni Trapattoni was announced, we said that hiring the right people would enable us to get the right results.

'In Giovanni, the team has grown in stature and confidence and I am very happy to renew my partnership with the FAI, Giovanni Trapattoni and the Irish squad for the coming campaign.'

[padski08]

Great news. He is getting the correct results and that is the key! Lets hope he stuffs his homeland in few weeks and we go to South Africa with Bells on!

[Fowler's God]

Agreed its good news but we need more creativity in the side. We can only go so far with the way we play and the squad he picks mostly. Steven Reid will add something to the side if picked and he should call up Keith Fahey...

[scousepaddy]

andy and steven reid should be in the middle when fit imo, unless ireland plays of course. the other two do a decent job of stopping teams play but give us nothing going forward

[Fowler's God]

andy and steven reid should be in the middle when fit imo, unless ireland plays of course. the other two do a decent job of stopping teams play but give us nothing going forward

Agree totally, I'd even have Carsley in the squad the man can do a greater job IMO than Andrews and Whelan although he is a lot older his experience would be vital.

[Venom1983]

We need steven reid back big time

[scousepaddy]

We need steven reid back big time

when fit he is quality!!

[padski08]

Agreed its good news but we need more creativity in the side. We can only go so far with the way we play and the squad he picks mostly. Steven Reid will add something to the side if picked and he should call up Keith Fahey...

I do agree with you about Steven Reid. Keith Fahey would make a nice addition but still has to prove himself on international stage. Something needs to change in the middle of the park, Whelan, Andrews and Gibson do nothing with the ball. We need someone to put there foot on it and make something happen. When we score (or go behind) its very hard to see us scoring a second killer goal

As much as we need him, I dont want Stephen Ireland back in the squad. He would upset morale and has burned too many bridges now. Contraversal maybe but i dont think he addition now would not be good for the team on the brink of World Cup playoff position - in theory 4 games from the World Cup Finals

After qualication (hopefully we will be among the finalists) we then need to look at our options for midfield

We need to do something to kill off games, lets not have another Macedonia on our hands!

[GaryMc]

Think they should have waited until the Qualification was decided. I am not saying it should not have been extended if we did not qualify, however strange timing.

[reddave]

based on results he deserves the extension but on stlye of play he doesnt..most boring football side to watch ever...

[CHARMAC]

based on results he deserves the extension but on stlye of play he doesnt..most boring football side to watch ever...

Have to agree on the last part, if it were up to me I'd show him the door( bring in Aldo and Ray) he's been lucky so far with results, but he'll be found out when we play a decent team in the play offs :(

[NiallD]

Think they should have waited until the Qualification was decided. I am not saying it should not have been extended if we did not qualify, however strange timing.

I'd go along with that. Very strange timing but its the FAI. Trap has being getting results and no disrespect to him but we were in no danger of losing him to any club knocking on the door so no reason why there was a rush to tie him down. Basically gives the impression qualification or lack of is irrelevant.

[Juan]

How much does denis o brien put up, towards his wages?

[4tothefloor]

Not sure what to think about this. We're getting results but the football is utter tripe. I also cannot stand Trapattoni's attitude and stubbornness towards Andy Reid and also his insistence on playing Glenn Whelan and Gibson when they clearly are not good enough and out of their depth. Only for Lansdowne Road to look forward to I would find it more and more difficult to justify going to the games and taking tickets on the block booking scheme, the football is that bad.

[JOE]

Not sure what to think about this. We're getting results but the football is utter tripe. I also cannot stand Trapattoni's attitude and stubbornness towards Andy Reid and also his insistence on playing Glenn Whelan and Gibson when they clearly are not good enough and out of their depth. Only for Lansdowne Road to look forward to I would find it more and more difficult to justify going to the games and taking tickets on the block booking scheme, the football is that bad.

I know. It's a crying shame that we have one player in andy dying to get into the team and is totally neglected. He should have been there ahead of stephen for the next two games, as stephen's clearly not fit. He has played but one game since his return and i don't think he'll start either of the next two matches. Don't get me wrong, he's a super player, just not fully match fit at the moment...

[Phil!]

If he gets us to the World Cup then the new contract will have been deserved....but they should have waited till after the playoffs(presumin we finish 2nd).

And hopefully since he is here for another couple of years he will do a bit of a revamp in his squad and get Andy Reid back!!

[Ron1892]

Think they should have waited until the Qualification was decided. I am not saying it should not have been extended if we did not qualify, however strange timing.

spot on agree with you there mate.Think its strange but then its the FAI we are talking about.

[padski08]

Lads ye have to remember that we dont have the team of Torres's or Gerrards. We have a fairly basic team bar Keane, Doyle, Dunne & Given. Maybe Duffer and McGeady when they play to their ability but we arnt as good as we think we are

Trap gets results, all be it with very hard to watch boring football. No point in playing fancy football and not qualifying! We are third seeds in our group, and look to have secured 2nd place (maybe 1st with some luck)

Trap deserves his contract based on the results secured to date. Timing is off, will agree with that, but hopefully could boost morale in the camp

[elvis]

Trap is a legend, the mans record speaks for itself. I love him, bar the Andy Reid thing, but I have faith in Trap and trust his judgement, just Like I do Rafa, they are the best at what they do. Trap is the man for the job.

We're all part of Gio's army,
We're all off to Africa,
And we'll really shake them up,
When we win the World Cup,
Because Ireland are a dodgey football team!

[SHOWTIME]

Jeez his best days are far behind him and we are very lucky to be in second place.Because of his negative tactics we threw away 4 points against Bulgaria and the away match against Italy which we'd of won if more positive.

We score and then it 10 men behind the ball.He has got to be the luckiest manager ever to manage Ireland cos we were haunted to beat Cyprus home and away and Georgia at home.

Some of his decisions baffle me and I'm afraid unless we get a easy draw in the playoff then we have no hope in hell of qualifying.

And if I am wrong and we do then I'll be very happy to eat humble pie. :)

[Wayne]

Some of his decisions baffle me and I'm afraid unless we get a easy draw in the playoff then we have no hope in hell of qualifying.

And if I am wrong and we do then I'll be very happy to eat humble pie. :)

I think the way the groups are we are the easy draw!

[Garrett]

He's done well given the team he has had to work with, the fact that he came into a set up in a bit of a mess with some players disheartened etc ...

He deserves acknowledgement for what he's done, but not too sure an extension to his contract was the right decision, given his age.

Whats the bets we end up seeing an "understudy" come in with him during the extended 2-year period ? .... obviously, something I'm praying won't happen as that generally does not work !

[sean]

Well if we qualify now Trappatoni will have well and truly earned his bacon. Seedings are to be used in the playoffs meaning Ireland's chances have been dealt a severe blow.

[padski08]

I dont want an "understudy" to come in either Garrett, but if i had to choose one manager to have has the mentor to this understudy, i would like the experience of Trap there. Lets hope it doesnt come to that!

These news about the seedings isnt good news for us

[GaryMc]

Well if we qualify now Trappatoni will have well and truly earned his bacon. Seedings are to be used in the playoffs meaning Ireland's chances have been dealt a severe blow.

That is fcukin shocking. Talking about looking after the big boys.

[elvis]

Seedings are to be used in the playoffs meaning Ireland's chances have been dealt a severe blow.

These news about the seedings isnt good news for us

In my view, if were going to win the World Cup, we have to beat them all anyway,. So we may as well knock them out in the play offs, also if they're in the play offs they must not have been playing very well to finish second,. So bring on Germany or Portugal or whoever else, Preferably Slovenia or Northern Ireland.. :D:D:D

[sean]

Just had a quick look at the standings there and was shocked to see that Ireland could actually be seeded going into the playoffs if they finish 2nd in the group! Should Sweden, Latvia, Slovenia and Bosnia all make the playoffs (this is not stretching any imaginations by the way) then Ireland would be guaranteed to be seeded based on the new FIFA criteria. Also the seeded teams ain't guaranteed home advantage in the 2nd leg as a seperate draw dicates that.

All in all its not as bad as I originally thought, but it does take away from complete fairness in the game as FIFA are only looking after the big boys of Germany, France and Portugal here.

[elvis]

I wouldn't like to face Bosnia, or Sweden for that matter, they could prove tougher to beat than the 'Big boys'. Anyway we could still qualify straight out anyway,. :D

[sean]

I wouldn't like to face Bosnia, or Sweden for that matter

I see where your coming from. Germany, Russia, France or Portugal would be a much better draw to get :rolleyes:

[elvis]

I see where your coming from. Germany, Russia, France or Portugal would be a much better draw to get :rolleyes:

At least someone knows what im getting at,. good auld optimism and sarcasm go hand in hand,. :)
Sure we'll see who we get and hope for the best,.

[scousedub]

I'd fancy us over two legs against most of the teams we could be playing. We are shite to watch but very hard to beat home & away