GIOVANNI TRAPATTONI SAYS he has no intention of walking away from the Ireland post.
Friday’s 6-1 defeat at the hands of Germany has been followed by speculation that the FAI are set sack the Italian in the coming days, while reports this morning suggested there has been more unrest in the camp with Stephen Kelly having to be persuaded to travel to the Torshavn after a bust-up with Marco Tardelli.
One bookmakers may have suspended betting on the 73-year-old’s reign ending before 2012 is out but at his press conference in the Torsvollur Stadium this afternoon, Trapattoni was as defiant as ever.
When asked whether he expected tomorrow’s qualifier against the Faroe Island to be his last, Trapattoni responded: ”Absolutely not. I ask you now why? We started the qualification and have lost one game to Germany. There is no reason.
“When they (the FAI) are sure, they have to decide – not me. I have crossed the Alps barefoot and overcome most difficult situations in my career.”
Despite being on a competitive run of four defeats in their last five outings, Trapattoni insists he will strive to turn around the fortunes of the team and says he would demand an explanation if John Delaney told him the association had lost faith in his ability.
No, absolutely (would he walk away). They must say why. I can answer easy. Do you not we were missing six, eight players from the Euros? It’s too easy. We play with another team. I already said, if you have not the pen or the computer, can you write? That is simple.
Unsurprisingly, most of the questions focused on whether or not he felt he had a future as Ireland boss. And with experience of dealing with the media in five different countries, he accepted that journalists have a job to do.
“The media must be critical, it is their job to be so,” he went on. “You couldn’t change (the manager) after every result. In your job, there are days that are not well. I accept the criticism. We lost, we played bad, they (Germany) were superior.”
Trap added that he has not spoken to the FAI in recent days, but that that is normal: “It’s not my job or duty. Not yesterday, I never spoke with them. In three years I never talk to them.”
Reports about Kelly’s unhappiness is the latest talk of disharmony in the squad. However, backed up by the words of captain Robbie Keane, Trapattoni said it is nothing new.
“In 20 years as the manager, I couldn’t say to you about how many players who say: ‘Ah why I don’t play?’. Many players wish to know why they not me. It is normal. For me, never. For me it’s like my sons. After it’s okay, need the son. Get over it.
“If you say to me, I asked many players and they say no we would confront them. It is a very rhetorical question.”
We’ll buy you some shoes if you cross back over the Alps and don’t return.
Nah – let him go barefoot and feck off with himself back to all that matters to him. Retirement in the homeland.
We’re caught with a TRAP! he can’t walk out, because he loves the money to much baby!!
“Many players wish to know why they not me. It is normal. For me, never. For me it’s like my sons. After it’s okay, need the son. Get over it.”
The FAI are even paying for a translator, and this is the gibberish that he trots out. Ah here…
The best international coach in the game. To be able to get a squad of neanderthals to the euros. Some job.
We’re is this laim Brady story coming from …
Just p1ss off back to Italy Trap, your becoming an embarrassment in world football!!
Ireland have been horrible to watch since he took over bar one or two games. The FAI are such a joke. Delaney needs to resign after he fires trap. Roy Keane to succeed him if we want to fill the aviva. Keane did well at Sunderland. Ipswich was too much of a mess for any manager to sort out so he can be excused for failings there. Vote no 1 Roy no 2 Owen coyle
Ah please, not Roy! Take off the green glasses.
Proven failed manager – apart from his early stint at Sunderland. Why him?
For a man to paid that much each year and not to travel to the uk to see up and coming players is a joke. Sending his minions over to his job..yeah right trap, I will send a friend to my job to tomorrow… Don’t think so.
Turn it around Trap – more to this than your job! There are players available who can get us in contention.