Fergie urges Irish fans to have patience for Trapattoni success

Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson has advised Irish soccer fans not to expect overnight success following what he called the "top of the tree" appointment of Giovanni Trapattoni.

Speaking at the Irish Examiner National Junior Sports Stars Awards in Dublin's Mansion House, he said it was a "pivotal moment in Irish football".

Describing the Italian maestro as a "very, very passionate" manager, he urged that although Trapattoni's "experience and CV are outstanding", fans should not place too much hope on the Republic of Ireland's short-term prospects.

He pointed out that the current Irish crop - unlike previous World Cup heroes - are still very young and "will need time to develop as a group".

At 66, the Scotsman is two years younger than Trapattoni and, when quizzed on his own future, Ferguson admitted that at his age he would find it difficult to leave Manchester United and start over.