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.

As it happens, Tardelli was in Ireland yesterday for the launch of Dublin’s year as European Capital of Sport and he took the opportunity to put the latest reports in context.

“If you open the internet every day, it is possible to see many possibilities for Giovanni,” he said. “Giovanni is a very good and popular trainer, everybody asks about him.”

Asked if Trapattoni is definitely committed to seeing out the next two years with Ireland, Tardelli replied: “From what I know, yes.”

If that didn’t exactly sound like a ringing declaration of intent, perhaps some allowances should be made for Tardelli’s still imperfect grasp of English. And, for the rest of a brief update ahead of Trapattoni’s appearance at next Sunday’s Euro draw in Warsaw, Tardelli was certainly speaking as if the continuance of Irish football’s Italian reign was a given.

Surprisingly, however, Tardelli confirmed that, as yet, no direct attempts have been made to sound out any of those English players who would now be available to declare for Ireland under FIFA’s changed eligibility rules.

“We have many players who play with Scotland and England,” he said, “but I don’t know if they want to come with Ireland. Maybe it’s possible but I don’t say the names.”

Instead, Tardelli concentrated on a handful of players who could be in line for call-ups to the senior squad.

Said Tardelli: “We have many new names, (Greg) Cunningham, (Seamus) Coleman and (James) McCarthy. We need those players to go forward. (Keith) Treacy is a very good player. And I am happy that (ex-Coventry striker) Leon Best goes to Newcastle to play, it is important for us.”

Eighteen-year-old Greg Cunningham is the newest of those names, the left-sided U19 international from Galway having made his senior debut for Manchester City as a second-half substitute in the recent 4-2 FA Cup win against Scunthorpe.

Asked about Liam Brady’s future as assistant manager, Tardelli said that while he speaks “every day with Liam” he wasn’t aware that there might be a problem with the Dubliner getting permission from Arsenal to continue in the Irish role. “I don’t know this,” said Tardelli, “but I would be delighted if Liam stays with us.”