'Trap' to be unveiled by FAI

Italian legend Giovanni Trapattoni today officially takes up his new role as Republic of Ireland manager.

The 68-year-old will be unveiled alongside his backroom team, which includes former Ireland international Liam Brady and World Cup winner Marco Tardelli.

The veteran coach, who won seven Serie A titles in Italy, has a two-year contract and the unenviable task of restoring faith in the team and securing a place at the 2010 World Cup.

The Football Association of Ireland touted his arrival as a major coup for the country, even though it took a drawn-out 113-day search to finally secure his services.

Communications billionaire Denis O’Brien also played a part in capturing the Italian by offering to cover half the wage bill.

Trapattoni’s international pedigree is highly regarded even if his record is somewhat mixed.

As Italian national coach he took the team to the 2002 World Cup, losing in the second round to hosts South Korea, and later he failed to make it through the group stages at Euro 2004.

In succeeding Steve Staunton, the Italian is taking over with morale among the international team, and supporters, at its lowest for more than a decade.

A 40-man squad has been named for his first game, a friendly against Serbia on May 24, but the list of players is to be whittled down to 28.

Trapattoni takes his first training sessions at a special camp in the Algarve, Portugal the week before the Croke Park clash.

The long qualifying campaign for the 2010 World Cup, which features games against Italy, begins in September.

The Italian, whose birthday falls on St Patrick’s Day, will be unveiled at a special event in the RDS, Dublin and broadcast live on www.fai.ie.