And SSN reports tonight that Billy Davis is going to be interviewed tomorrow. He must have had an unlisted number.
Someone on here mentioned he was quoted as saying he would be happy to learn the ropes. Now why the feck didn't he think of that a couple of years ago?
In May of '61 John F Kennedy indicated that the USA would put a man on the moon. That was accomplished in July of '69, a little over 8 years later. Had the FAI been in charge of said project, they'd still be looking for a telescope to find the moon.
Nothing on the FAI website, but I wouldn't expect them to be that organised. 11 February 2008 Trapattoni appointed Ireland coach By Tony Leen, Sports Editor SOCCER chiefs last night pulled off their own Italian job by securing legendary coach Giovanni Trapattoni as the next Republic of Ireland head coach. The 68-year-old met in Austria last night with the three-man FAI selection committee and agreed in principle to hook up with the Republic once his contract with Salzburg finishes in May. The deal is a coup for FAI chiefs, who have been under intense pressure over the protracted process to find Steve Staunton’s successor. However, they were determined to see out the process to the end and have said there would be no knee-jerk appointments. Association chief executive John Delaney will fly out to meet Trapattoni’s representatives in the next 24 hours and agree a contract and financial package for the former Italian coach. He is likely to be given a three- or four-year deal, worth in excess of e1.4m per year, with bonuses. The FAI’s board of management will meet tomorrow or Wednesday to ratify the nomination of the selection committee of Don Givens, Don Howe and Ray Houghton. It means disappointment for ex-England coach Terry Venables, who was the other remaining candidate. Former Irish midfielder Liam Brady will be part of Trapattoni’s backroom team and will perform a similar general manager role to that which Oliver Bierhoff fulfils with Germany. However, uncertainty remains whether ex-Italy defender Claudio Gentile will come as Trapattoni’s assistant. Trapattoni’s Austrian commitments conclude at the end of April, ensuring he will be in place as Ireland manager well in advance of the May 24 friendly against Serbia at Croke Park. The Trapattoni deal is critical for the FAI. With sponsorship deals either up for renewal or dependent on future success, wooing an internationally renowned manager was pivotal. It is understood the FAI have already had contact from potential investors on the basis of Trapattoni being coach. The Italian, who turns 69 on St Patrick’s Day, boasts an awesome CV in European football. He won six Serie A titles with Juventus, another with Inter Milan, and won championships in Germany with Bayern Munich, Portugal with Benfica and with his present Austrian club, Red Bull Salzburg.
yep..RTE reporting the same...Trap it is.. http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2008/0211/trapattonig.html I'm pretty excited about this. Could be great for Irish football. I'm sure he'll pick his teams on merit and form and not on past allegiances, so keep up the good work Mr. Hunt your time will come
There was a similar piece in the Irish Times a week ago, and that proved to be false... this is encouraging but I refuse to get excited until we get official confirmation.
It could be a lot of pure speculation at this point. Can't believe it to be true until word comes from one of the 3 Wise Men and/or the FAI. A slight improvement on Stan, I dare say...
great great great!! Trappatoni could be the man to lift the gloom and doom of the irish national team, lets hope that when he meets with delaney he doesnt realise what a pathetic organisation the fai are, can jst imagine: Trap: so who was manager before me?? Someone decorated like me i suppose? Delaney: eh.....ya....Steve Staunton....have you heard of him? Trap: Is that the muppet who used clean the jerseys at walsall?? Delaney:............ Trapps green army in South Africa baby!!!!
Delaney speaks: http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2008/0211/fai.html I think this might actually happen....
ESPN is now reporting this as a done deal: http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=507099&cc=5901. I sincerely hope it is, but at this stage I wouldn't be surprised if the FAI pulled some stunt and named Roberto Benigni manager instead.
Though it'd be a good thing for this quest-for-a-manager fiasco to end, Trapattoni??? What kind of a long-term solution to problems of Irish football is that?
Great decision. A foreign manager. What I've been calling for all along. (Check my posts if you don't believe me)