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.”
