Trapattoni trumpets Ivory Coast approach

Former Republic of Ireland manager tipped to take charge soccer team known as Les Elephants

Giovanni Trapattoni has announced he is in talks to become the next Ivory Coast coach. Photograph: Mike Egerton/PA Wire.

Giovanni Trapattoni has announced he is in talks to become the next Ivory Coast coach.

The 75-year-old Italian tactician has been out of a job since parting company with the Republic of Ireland in September last year after five years in charge.

"The Ivory Coast? Everything should materialise in 15 days' time," Trapattoni said to Italian radio station Radio Due. "I could also have accepted taking charge of Morocco and I thought about it for 48 hours, but in the end I made my decision."

The African side are looking for a new manager after deciding not to renew the contract of French coach Sabri Lamouchi, who failed to guide Les Elephants past the group stages at the World Cup.

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The Ivory Coast beat Japan 2-1 in their opening game in Brazil but lost against Colombia and Greece to bow out of the competition in the first round.

Trapattoni has been at the helm of AC Milan, Juventus, Inter Milan, Cagliari and Fiorentina in Serie A during his 40-year coaching career.

The former Italy boss is one of only five coaches to have won the league title in at least four different countries — Italy, Germany, Portugal, and Austria.