Trap on his way to Morocco

Reports in Italy have linked former Republic of Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni with the manager’s job at Morocco.

The Italian, 75, has been out of work since parting ways with Ireland following a 1-0 defeat to Austria last September. However, according to the Corriere dello Sport Trapattoni, left, is “very close” to signing a four-year contract.

It is said that Trapattoni would want to bring in Marco Tardelli as his assistant, the same role he held while the duo worked together in Ireland.

Meanwhile, Keith Long will take charge of his first game as the new Athlone Town manager on Friday night when the midlanders host Bray Wanderers in the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division.

The opposition will be very familiar to Long since he is a former player, assistant manager and manager of the Seagulls.

Long, who will be assisted in his new post by the experienced Eddie Wallace, replaces Mick Cooke who parted company with Athlone this week after the promoted side suffered ten defeats in their opening ten games of the 2014 campaign.