Monday, February 11, 2008
Trap to get nod over El Tel
The long wait for Steve Staunton’s replacement as Rep. Ireland manager would appear to be over, with several media outlets suggesting that Giovanni Trapattoni agreed in principle to take the job once his current contract (with Austrian club side, Red Bull Salzburg) expires in May. The news will come as a relief to the supporters- and players- who had become increasingly vocal and agitated about the delay in finding a replacement, though I personally was disappointed in the manner in which Terry Venables was left waiting around for such a lengthy period of time.
Trapattoni has a distinguished career in club management, having won championship titles in four different countries as manager. His spell as Italian national coach from 2000 to 2004 was not as successful, however, though he has continued in management with Stuttgart, Benfica and Salzburg since leaving the international scene.
As this youtube clip suggests, the Italian’s animated character at press conferences will be quite a contrast to Steve Staunton’s reserved style.
Interestingly, reports also suggest that Liam Brady will assume a role amongst Trapattoni’s backroom team; 28 years ago, Trapattoni as manager of Juventus brought Brady from Arsenal to Italy.
Chris Donnelly @ 11:19 AM
You’ve all got your wires crossed - Venables was the Aus manager trying to win qualification for the 1998 World Cup, not 2002 and it was 8 years later that the Socceroos took the eventual world champions to the limit. The squad was different - less household names, much less strength in depth, Bosnich in goal (although a young Kewell and Viduka when they were still half-decent). They were unlucky not to qualify but yes, ultimately Venables reign ended in failure.
On-topic, Trappatoni is an awesome appointment for a relatively poor-performing team. He obviously sees potential…
Posted by on Feb 11, 2008 @ 08:52 PMShould also mention that under El Tel, Australia drew with Brazil, beat Norway, Mexico, South Korea - all of whom were at the 98 World Cup - although they were also hammered by Brazil and beaten by Saudi Arabia.
Posted by on Feb 11, 2008 @ 08:59 PMTrapattoni is a real capture by Ireland, even if he is costing a reported 2 million per year.
Has a wealth of experience and with a solid core of experienced premiership players to start with, he has the potential to repair the damage done by Stan and move the team forward.
Trapattoni also plays a very ‘hands-on approach’ with the underage teams, so hopefully will be visiting the 6 counties quite a bit to eye the talent :)
Posted by on Feb 11, 2008 @ 10:15 PMDr Who
One match against a Brazillian street kids xi and already Kensei is using the collective “our”.
I was using it before. How about that?
One match yes. Which is 1/5 of my live football viewing. I’m sure I’ll see another at some point but I think I probably need to go see Leeds again first.
I enjoy footie but not obsessed. Doesn’t mean I don’t want to see my club or country win, though. But if it makes you happy run with it.
Did you really go to Croke Park Kensei, now tell the truth.
I know it burns you I’ve destroyed your only line of argument, but I never lie. It was freezing and the highlight of the first half was a Mexican wave going around the ground 3 times in a row, which says all you need to about the football. The second half was considerably better.
Posted by on Feb 11, 2008 @ 10:29 PMGreat appointment! From the rediculous to the sublime, from Staunton to Trappattoni.
Much rather have ‘il Duce’ than ‘el Tel’. El Tel is a bit of a Del boy, in all honesty, loves the money and the limelight!
Where as his old boy Trappattoni’s takes his football more seriously. His CV is very impressive. Looks a robust hardy old git too. He’ll definitely scare the shit outta the boys. No more lazy arse careless play on the field else the Trap will give them a rap!Posted by on Feb 12, 2008 @ 02:07 PMTrapattoni to lead the way....
“I am the way the light.....”
http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2008/0213/ireland1.html
Posted by on Feb 13, 2008 @ 03:35 PMI think that this guy, Trappatoni, is over the hill and over-rated. Much better to have a young, dynamic manager like Nigel Worthington. Worthington is a smart cookie as he showed when he negotiated a small fortune from the IFA-I think we got the better deal alright.
Posted by on Feb 13, 2008 @ 07:56 PMMaith an fear, trap. He looks very much like Father Romeo Sensini in the picture, don’t you think? Or perhaps a more stylish Eamonn De Buitlear.
Posted by on Feb 13, 2008 @ 08:12 PMHave to say, as a Northern Ireland supporter, I’m elated you guys have got Trappatoni.
He’s done nothing since the late 80s. He’s the Italian equivalent of Howard Kendall - would you have been happy with that appointment?
His last stab at international management says it all. Couldn’t get Italy out of their group in Euro’04, yet Lippi could get the same team to win the WC 2 years later ... Anyway, at least he’ll be better than Steve ‘The Gaffer’ Staunton!
Posted by on Feb 13, 2008 @ 08:26 PMDiluted Orange? -more like Sour Grapes.
Posted by on Feb 13, 2008 @ 09:02 PM‘Diluted Orange? -more like Sour Grapes. ‘
:) :)
We should have poached that hugely successful manager Nigel worthlesston from the wee 6, lol.
Posted by on Feb 13, 2008 @ 09:32 PMHe’s done nothing since the late 80s. He’s the Italian equivalent of Howard Kendall - would you have been happy with that appointment?
Trap:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giovanni_Trapattoni#Honours
Kendall:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Howard_Kendall#Honours
Stan:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Staunton#Honours
I think we’ll cope.
Posted by on Feb 13, 2008 @ 10:29 PMSour grapes?! Hilarious! I’m not the one petty enough to choose not to support the country I was born in.
Posted by on Feb 13, 2008 @ 10:43 PM‘Sour grapes?! Hilarious! I’m not the one petty enough to choose not to support the country I was born in.’
Point being, we are supporting the country we were born in.
Its the same as the scarf Trap was holding up.
An ireland scarf.
The same country that has players from Derry,Belfast & Dublin playing in their international team.
Got a problem !!! Contact FIFA !
We support Ireland - you support the Rangers 2nd 11.
Posted by on Feb 14, 2008 @ 12:39 AMIreland is, in the eyes of the world except our wee Unionists, one country with two states. Personally I support both teams. The 26 county team is for Irishmen; the North’s team is for British Irishmen. Being simply an Irishman the South’s team is my 1st choice. But I also like to see our comrades do well for the 06. They wear the sacred green of Ireland too if I remember correctly.
Trap is a great appointment. One of the world’s most successful coaches. Not much different to Capello and only a few years older.
Posted by on Feb 14, 2008 @ 04:50 AM“Have to say, as a Northern Ireland supporter, I’m elated you guys have got Trappatoni.
He’s done nothing since the late 80s. He’s the Italian equivalent of Howard Kendall - would you have been happy with that appointment?”
Sour grapes?....The familar taste of very bitter oranges morelike!
Uuuugghhhhh!
Posted by on Feb 14, 2008 @ 08:36 AMRegarding Cappello…
Capello has won about 9 titles I think whereas Trapattoni has won 19 titles.
“At the end of the day,” we got a marvellous deal landing Trapattoni who has a great track record. Thanks to an Irish billionaire too!
Posted by on Feb 14, 2008 @ 08:41 AMI have to say, and I’ve had this suspicion for quite a while now, that looking back on the 2002 cup, it looks awfully dodgy and I think either something went awfully wrong on an awful lot of occasions in a marvellously coincidental manner, or referrees were taking bribes. I submit the eventual exits of spain and Italy as exhibit A and Exhibit B.
I fully believe that the fix was on in our 2nd round match against Spain because South Korea did not want to play Spain in the quarter final as it would look too suspicious if they beat them. Hence Spain had 2 goals disallowed aginst us and we were awarded 2 penalties (yet still failed to get through. The 2nd penalty we got was a perfectly good one, I can’t remember much about the 1st one, but as far as I can recall Spain’s 2 disallowed goals were perfect and they should have beaten us about 4-0 in that game, instead of it going to penalties like it did.
Spain then went on to have THREE- yes THREE - goals disallowed against S Korea in the quarter finals. I didn’t see this game myself but I am told the 3 goals again were perfectly good goals but were all ruled out for offside and S Korea eventually won the game.
I don’t recall the Italy exit, but I’m told it was equally suspicious, a lot of dodgy decisions and goals disallowed for offside etc. Of course people never have much sympathy for Italians when it comes to accusations of corruption but my point is that I wouldn’t worry about Italy going out of the 2002 World cup early, because I think that whole tournament was corrupted to enable Japan & S Korea to get as far in the tournament as could realistically be explained, and I’m sure FIFA had plenty to do with it because of the amount of money at stake in making football a popular sport in Asia.
Posted by on Feb 15, 2008 @ 02:58 PM
