Trapattoni eyeing World Cup

13 November 2011 14:16

Giovanni Trapattoni already has one eye on the Republic of Ireland's qualifying campaign for the 2014 World Cup finals in Brazil.

On Tuesday night, a team moulded very much in the 72-year-old Italian's image will attempt to confirm its participation in next summer's Euro 2012 finals in Poland and the Ukraine having powered their way to a 4-0 play-off first leg lead over Estonia in Tallinn on Friday.

Trapattoni has not yet begun talks with the Football Association of Ireland over a new deal and he said: "Surely, I would be disappointed or upset if I had to leave because I am sure we can do better and we can repeat our performance in qualification towards the World Cup in Brazil because now we have a strong, young team."

He added: "When we change these senior players, I am sure we have options behind them which are very, very strong."

Trapattoni has, of course, led something of a nomadic existence in a career which has brought him league titles in four different countries, and he has never been averse to a new challenge. However, he is confident he has established a firm foundation with Ireland and is keen to build upon it.

He said: "One of my friends, many years ago when I was a very, very young manager, said to me, 'Why do you want to go? Remember, the more woods you visit, the more wolves you find'.

"Our team is a good team. We play good football - maybe we do not have super-creative players, but we have very, very good players, modern players, quick players and a balance between defenders and attackers.

"That is the modern thing. After that, there is maybe Messi or Ronaldo or others, but our team without these great names is a very strong team."

Trapattoni has, understandably, been questioned about his future repeatedly in recent months, and last week said he would look to stay in the game even if a new offer from the FAI did not materialise.

Asked if he faced a straight choice between Ireland and retirement, he replied, indulging the Italian superstition of touching iron rather than wood, said: "No, no. I would continue life. In Italy, we say the older wine gets, the better it tastes - if you are still clear in your mind, and thank God, I think I am still clear in my mind."

Source: PA