Bari will be ‘emotional’ for converted boss

GIOVANNI TRAPATTONI has admitted that Ireland’s game against his homeland in Bari on April 1 will be an emotional occasion for him.

“I had many, many (Italian) people contacting me after that draw was made,” he said. “And they all told me the same: that it is not so important Ireland wins these games!

“Honestly though, I was very happy; I consider myself lucky to be facing Italy. It’s an honour. It will be a strange situation for me because I am a proud Italian, but I am also a professional and very proud to be coach of the Irish national team, so it will be no problem. But I do expect that I will be a little emotional when the national anthems are played.”

In an interview with FIFA’s website conducted to mark his 70th birthday today, Trapattoni said that he was very much enjoying his time as manager of Ireland.

“I could have chosen another country but I felt that I had all the right circumstances here,” he said. “Importantly, I also had Liam Brady, a man I know and respect, and someone I knew could help me with the specific demands of coaching here.

“Furthermore, I know English football well and already had knowledge of many of the Irish players. What I saw in them is that their mentality is like mine: their heart is fantastic.

“I liked that immediately and I was sure that we would be able to work well together. When I first met the players, I told them they had to trust me because I had the experience to take the team forward. Fortunately, they accepted me with enthusiasm.

“For any coach, his assistants are always very, very important, and I am extremely fortunate to have two great champions here. Liam was captain of Ireland’s national team for many years and played very well for me in Italy, and Marco (Tardelli), as everyone knows, is a world champion.

“It’s important for the players to have men like that whom they can look up to. Liam has also been very important because he has been able to explain to the players certain small details about training and our tactical system better than I can at the moment.”

Asked if the Irish job will be his last, the veteran coach replied: “Who knows? I’m a believer that you leave these things to God, and I have to thank Him for the fact that I am still healthy and motivated enough to continue working.

“Beyond the challenge of taking Ireland to South Africa, I have made no plans, so let’s see what happens.

“My sons and daughters are happy for me to continue. But my wife is always asking me: ‘When will you finish? When will you finish?’ I just tell her: ‘In the future!’ She is always trying to pull me away from football, but not with much success (laughs).”

And on Irish hopes of qualifying for the 2010 World Cup finals, Trapattoni told FIFA: “We can make it but we will also need some luck, both in our matches and in terms of the fitness of our key players. I can’t tell you for sure that we will be there I’m afraid, but I am confident.”