In contrast to his swish unveiling at a packed RDS five years ago, Giovanni Trapattoni discovered his fate in a subdued airport lounge yesterday morning.

The FAI have confirmed the departure of Giovanni Trapattoni from the Republic of Ireland job.

All things Roman seem to be flavour of the month and ‘Quo Vadis’ (Liberation, €24.99) follows in the wake of others, as General Marcus Vinicus falls in love with a Christian as the neurotic Emperor Nero (Klaus Maria Brandauer) sets fire to the city and blames the Christians.