No red card for Trap but FAI signals change

Embattled football manager Giovanni Trapattoni last night survived an FAI grilling to hold onto his €1.5m-a-year post with the Republic of Ireland.

However, the 73-year-old Italian will be urged to attend more Premier League games and be more careful with his comments about some players, it is believed.

The FAI’s board of management met for over two hours last night and backed their international manager, concluding that the humiliating 6-1 defeat to Germany in last week’s World Cup qualifier was not a reason in itself to sack the coach.

The board meeting was called at short notice to address the confusion caused in recent days by speculation about the manager’s future.

A statement last night said the FAI would “continue to work closely with the manager” — an indication that Trapattoni may have to take more direction from HQ on some of the less satisfactory areas of his management.

A number of issues have strained relations between Trapattoni and the FAI board in recent months — including the Marco Tardelli-inspired fiasco over Damien Duff’s phantom international comeback. Trapattoni’s comments about striker Shane Long also irked those in power.

However, the 4-1 victory in Torshavn, performances of a number of younger players, and the support of the majority of the squad for Trapattoni are believed to be key factors in last night’s Abbotstown endorsement.

Trapattoni was “taking stock” at his Italian home last night, insisting six points from nine in the first three World Cup qualifiers keeps the Brazil finals in focus.

The board of management said: “While disappointed, like everyone, with the poor result and performance against Germany, and understanding the frustration of some of our supporters, we believe the current position in the group means that qualification for Brazil in 2014 remains a realistic and achievable prospect and reaffirmed that Giovanni Trapattoni is to remain in charge of the national team.

“The board recognises the depth of feeling surrounding the team, the performances, the results and the manager, reflecting the passion which everyone in Irish football has for the game.”

Trapattoni will now begin planning for next month’s Dublin friendly against Greece and a February meeting with Poland before the crucial World Cup qualifying double-header away to Sweden and at home to Austria in March.