Ireland fans caught in a Trap by €2m bill
Despite Ireland’s humiliating 6-1 defeat to Germany — the worst home defeat in 81 years — Trapattoni says he has no intention of ending his reign and, with a salary of €1.5m, the Italian is too costly to be sacked.
Some irate fans are arranging to display “Out Trap” banners at tomorrow’s away match between Ireland and the Faroe Islands.
“Banners are the only to go. Only way to be clear about your message so the team don’t think you’re having a go at them,” one person wrote on YouBoysInGreen.ie.
The cash-strapped Football Association of Ireland would have to find €2m to sack Trapattoni.
It was also reported at the weekend that the FAI is due to pay or reschedule €58.8m in loans between 2014 and 2017 and has to pay an overdraft of €5.4m by next summer.
Trapattoni has had two pay cuts to his generous salary since his appointment in 2008, half of which is paid by businessman Denis O’Brien.
When asked when he would feel the time was right to walk away, Trapattoni said it would be when there was no positivity left in the team and they were not doing what he asked.
One of the most dedicated Ireland followers and a member of the Galway United Supporters Trust, Tommy Shields said there were some people hoping the Irish team would be well beaten on Friday in order to get rid of Trapattoni.
“There has understandably been a backlash against Trapattoni from fans but people shouting for his head will not do the team any good,” said Shields.
“We will have to get over Tuesday and then see where we are but, with the Faroes difficult to get to, it will be hard to judge the mood of fans.”
Shields said he expected that up to 500 fans would travel to the Faroe Islands for the match. A daytrip deal with match tickets costs just over €400.
Ireland is ranked more than 100 places above the Faroe Islands.
“While there is a backlash against Trapattoni, you have to question the quality of the players as well,” Shields said. “We really need to rebuild the entire soccer structure in Ireland and have a proper national league.
“We have to get young players coming through a strong national league because the English teams are not as keen to take on Irish players as they have been in the past.”
