Trapattoni: Euro qualifiers will decide my future

GIOVANNI TRAPATTONI appears to accept that success or failure to qualify for next year’s European Championship finals in Poland and Ukraine will determine his future as Ireland manager.

Quoted yesterday, the Italian said: “This could be my last season with Ireland but I wish to clarify that I understand the FAI’s position regarding qualification.

“Obviously I would be sad if I don’t get to finish the job I started with Ireland. The team is evolving and growing but we are not finished our job here yet.

“I would be sorry but there are other countries who ask me what I will do when my contract with the FAI is over. There are other countries.”

This is the first time, at least in public, Trapattoni has conceded so explicitly that his reign as Ireland manager will stand or fall on the results of the remaining European Champions qualifiers. By implication, his remarks also suggest he doesn’t expect negotiations on a new contract to be finalised until the end of the current campaign.

When asked about this subject, following the FAI’s AGM in Ennis on Saturday, John Delaney said it would a decision for the board to make and they would discuss it “at the appropriate juncture”.

And the FAI chief seemed to dismiss concerns about the possibility of the Italian being lured away by another job offer if his future here is not resolved soon.

“No, we’ve got great trust with Giovanni,” he said. “We get on very well, with him and Marco [Tardelli]. It’s a relationship there. He did great grassroots work here in Clare this week. He’s a professional man, so I have no qualms on that side. Of course other countries would be looking at him because of his success, but that wouldn’t be a concern to me.”