Ireland boss Trapattoni still on Nigeria’s radar

NIGERIA still have designs on Republic of Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni ahead of this summer’s World Cup finals.

Having had to settle for third place in the Africa Cup of Nations under much criticised coach Sahibu Amodu, the Nigerian FA are reported to be prepared to mount a serious bid for the veteran Italian before the Super Eagles take to the stage in South Africa in less than five months’ time.

While there has been speculation in the past linking the Nigerians and Trapattoni – and indeed other reports, dismissed by the manager as “rubbish”, linking him with Turkey and Juventus – the Italian newspaper La Repubblica yesterday reported that Nigeria’s football authorities are now prepared to offer a lucrative package, including the use of a villa in the capital Abuja, in a bid to entice Trapattoni away from the Irish job. The deal would also include assistant manager Marco Tardelli and fitness coach Fausto Rossi moving on with Trapattoni.