Giovanni Trapattoni has outlined his conviction that the Republic of Ireland can end a depressing run and qualify for the 2010 World Cup. The Italian, who will start work as the Republic's new manager on May 1, after his contract at the Austrian club Red Bull Salzburg expires, will face a familiar rival in European Group Eight. Italy, whom he coached at the World Cup finals in 2002 and Euro 2004, without success, are the top seeds. Bulgaria and Cyprus, the recent nemesis of Irish football, together with Georgia and Montenegro, complete the line-up. "I know that there are very hard teams, Italy, Bulgaria, Cyprus, but I think we can get into first place, I really think so," said Trapattoni, on his 69th birthday, which coincides with St Patrick's Day. His Birthdate is Paddy's day. Let's hope he brings his lucky charm with him!!!The winners of each of the nine European groups qualify outright with the eight best runners-up playing each other over two legs to determine the continent's final four spots at the finals in South Africa. Trapattoni will hold a week-long training camp in Portugal at the end of the Premier League season, when he will work with his new players for the first time, before playing friendlies against Serbia in Dublin on May 24 and Colombia at Craven Cottage on May 29. As he seeks to take Ireland to their first major finals since 2002, he remains hopeful of being able to work with Liam Brady, the former Republic midfielder and a player he had at Juventus in the early 1980s. Brady is the head of youth development and Academy manager at Arsenal but Trapattoni wants him as a part-time coach. "Arsène Wenger [the Arsenal manager] is also my friend and when I need Liam, I am sure that Arsène will let him come with me," said Trapattoni. "Liam speaks good Italian and knows very well the [Ireland] players." Trapattoni was appointed to the Republic job ahead of Terry Venables, the former England coach, who was furious at the opposition to his candidacy from Eamon Dunphy, the outspoken RTE pundit. "How can a self-confessed cocaine user who has been banned for drink-driving and driving without insurance lecture me on my character?" said Venables in an interview at the weekend.
Hi I reckon Trapattoni could be right, but we need a few new players and no where better to find them, then .... HERE (just click on this text to find out more) so get signed up and shows us your skills quick as you can lads & lassies
we need to go forward he needs to scour the country and find new talent not go backwards finnan best days are behind him along with half of stans team
I agree needs to ship the deadwood that stan has left us with, Also needs to strip Keane of the captins armband and give it to The honey monster Dunne
Right, I know people have birthday hangovers, but if we're going to qualify, we better prevent this from happening. Thank your lucky stars that it happened now, not in 6 months time.