Giovanni Trapattoni has agreed a new two-year deal as Republic of Ireland manager, meaning the Italian will be in charge of the qualifying campaign for the 2012 European Championships. Businessman Denis O'Brien will again foot a portion of the manager's salary, though the FAI has yet to confirm the actual numbers involved in the new contract.
Assistant coach Marco Tardelli and fitness trainer Fausto Rossi are both inlcuded in the deal but Liam Brady's future remains in doubt because, according to the FAI, he is primarily an employee of Arsenal and will need the blessing of Gunners manager Arsene Wenger.
The FAI has never officially revealed the figures required to keep Trapattoni at the helm but from the outset the Italian was believed to be on around €2million a year, half of which was provided by O'Brien. The businessman is also thought to have contributed around €500,000 to of the €1million per annum required to pay Tardelli, Brady and Rossi.
Speaking about the manager’s new deal this afternoon, FAI chief executive John Delaney said: “We are very happy to agree a contract extension with Giovanni Trapattoni. The players and everyone on the FAI board of management have been tremendously impressed by the professionalism, dedication and commitment of Giovanni Trapattoni and his team.
“We thank Denis O’Brien for his continuing contribution which will guarantee the services of one of the world’s most successful managers, through until 2012.”
O’Brien also thinks the Italian has proved he is the man for the job.
“When the appointment of Giovanni Trapattoni was announced, we said that hiring the right people would enable us to get the right results. In Giovanni, the team has grown in stature and confidence and I am very happy to renew my partnership with the FAI, Giovanni Trapattoni and the Irish squad for the coming campaign.”
Trapattoni is “delighted” with the agreement and sees a bright future.
“This squad has huge potential. Our results demonstrate what self belief and structure can achieve and I am really looking forward to continuing the work we have begun.”
Confirmation of the new deal came at the squad announcement for the upcoming double-header against Group 8 leaders Italy and also-rans Montenegro at Croke Park.
The games, on October 10th and 14th respectively, could secure second place in the group and a play-off place for South Africa or even serve to wrest top spot off the manager's homeland.
"The final two qualifying matches against Italy and Montenegro in Croke Park next month will be pivotal in our efforts to qualify for South Africa," he said today. "Having performed well against both Italy and Montenegro away from home, we hope that playing in front of a home crowd against these teams will give us an extra advantage. Everything is still to play for as the group stages draw to a close."
As expected, Steven Reid will return to the international scene after making his comeback to competitive football with Blackburn Rovers in the Carling Cup this week.
There is no place for namesake Andy Reid, whose four appearances for Sunderland in the league this season have hinted he may be an integral player for the club this season.
The preliminary squad of 27 does, however, include Hibernian’s Liam Miller, Covenrty City’s Leon Best, Stoke City’s Liam Lawrence and Celtic defender Darren O’Dea, who is currently on loan at Reading.
A point in Dublin would be enough to secure automatic qualification for Italy, while it would also guarantee Ireland the play-off spot if Bulgaria failed to win in Cyprus on the same night.
Marcello Lippi's side head for Croke Park sitting at the top of the group with 20 points having won two games more than Ireland.
But victory for Trapattoni's men would send them into the last round of games knowing a home win over Montenegro four days later would book their passage to the finals, provided Cyprus denied the Italians victory in Parma that night.
Ireland Squad
Goalkeepers
Shay Given, Keiren Westwood, Joe Murphy.
Defenders
John O'Shea, Kevin Foley, Richard Dunne, Stephen Kelly, Kevin Kilbane, Eddie Nolan, Sean St Ledger, Paul McShane, Darren O'Dea.
Midfielders
Aiden McGeady, Damien Duff, Darron Gibson, Glenn Whelan, Keith Andrews, Liam Miller, Stephen Hunt, Andy Keogh, Steven Reid, Liam Lawrence.
Forwards
Caleb Folan, Kevin Doyle, Robbie Keane, Shane Long, Leon Best.
