The 72-year-old who just keeps on running

THERE was something of a last day at school feel at the Clarion Airport Hotel in Dublin yesterday, as the Irish camp folded up its tents and prepared to go its separate ways for the summer.

Giovanni Trapattoni was waiting for a flight home to Milan but had to admit that, as yet, he was unsure of his holiday plans.

Grinning widely, he revealed: “My wife asked last week when we will go on holiday. And I said, we must wait a moment, because I have to review the game against Italy which had so many important situations.

“My life is always holidays,” he laughed. “We have a little house by the sea and I say to my wife, ‘you go there and stay for a month. I’m at home watching games on DVD’.

“No, but obviously, I do need a break as well like everyone else. But I do think I am lucky because I love this job. They’re going to have to beat me with a stick off the pitch to make me stop. Thank God, I am clear in the head.

“I love this job, and as long as I have health and am lucid and I can do it, I will do it.”

And, lest we might still be in any doubt about the 72 year old’s staying powers, Trapattoni declared: “I have the batteries like Duracell”.

Then, to laughter, he added, “I don’t want to advertise Duracell.”

If I was the bunny I’d watch my back.