WE’LL STAY AS long as we’re wanted; that’s the message from Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni’s assistant Marco Tardelli.
Trap and his squad departed for Moscow yesterday ahead of tomorrow night’s crucial Euro 2012 qualifier against Russia.
He did so with the Sunday Independent having reported that the FAI were close to offering the Italian a contract extension – but on half his current salary.
Tardelli admitted to reporters that any move to slash the boss’s wages was news to him. He said: “I spoke with [FAI chief executive] John Delaney two or three days ago. He never told me about this. For me, it’s speculation. Also two years ago, we took a cut in our contracts.
“I don’t understand well in English, but John Delaney didn’t talk to me about that. Many times, we speak with John and the board to decide to continue or not. For us, you know our idea – we want to stay on.”
Naturally enough, Trap and Tardcelli’s fate is said to be dependent on Ireland reaching the play-offs but Tardelli insists he doesn’t know anything of such goals.
“We don’t have any such targets. We spoke with John Delaney two or three days. If the board want me and Giovanni to stay here, it’s okay. There’s nothing to be discussed at the moment,” he added.
What do you think? Would you like them to stay on?
