Ireland (National Football)

Even at 72 Giovanni Trappatoni has lost none of the bite you would expect. The most successful manager in the history of Serie A and one of the games all time greats seems to be enjoying the twilight of his career in Ireland, to such an extent that now he wants to lead the Irish to Brazil for the 2014 World Cup where he feels he may have some unfinished "business."

Il Trap, made it known while speaking at the Clarion Hotel to the Dublin media following Ireland's 3-2 defeat to Uruguay that he wants to carry on his initial good work after his contract ends after Euro 2012.

"If they want me, I am available, if they not want, I can look about other possibilities," he said before adding; "Obviously, I would be proud to continue because the next World Cup is in Brazil. Brazil is Brazil, eh. To go to Brazil as the manager, it would be a good moment."

More than a good moment, it would be a great moment for the celebrated manager to bow out of the game. Should he stay on as Ireland manager for Brazil 2014 he would be 75 and easily the oldest manager in the game.

You don't have to dig very deep to find his motivation though.

In 2002, when Trappatoni guided his home nation Italy to the Last-16 of the World Cup they were controversially eliminated by South Korea after extra time.

The now famous game saw the Italian's reduced to 10-men when Francesco Totti was adjudged to have dived to win a penalty when action replay's proved that the striker was fouled and then to make matters worse Italy also had a valid goal chalked off for a non-existent offside.

That goal was the fifth legitimate goal that Italy had seen disallowed at the competition.

The chief architect of that particular incident, Ecuadorian referee Byron Moreno was arrested last year on drug possession charges and then sentenced to six months in prison. Needless to say he did not gain much sympathy from Il Trap.

Then in late 2009 Ireland was famously dumped out of the World Cup in South Africa 2010 at the playoff stage after the famed "Hand of Gaul" by Thierry Henry.

So one can easily see why Giovanni Trappatoni would want to lead a team to another competition. He feels his luck is about to change and that he deserves "payback."

"Adidas is French," he said in explaining his theory on why France progressed over Ireland.

"These competitions are very, very important for business. I know there is a lot of interest in this tournament [the World Cup], whether it is from the media, whether it is sponsors, whether it is business, whether it is money … there are other interests. There is too much interest. A colleague said to me after the Henry handball, 'Giovanni, you know football...'

"When I was the Italian manager in Korea … it was not France but it was similar. If you want, I can show you the DVD of the Korean match at the World Cup. The referee from the Italy-Korea game was in prison, was he not?"

"I achieved good results at club level with strong teams," Trappatoni said, "but also with Uefa and Fifa … I have paid my dues and I am due something back. I am waiting for something back because of the experiences I have had."

Given this statement from the usually mindful Trappatoni it is fair to say that he wants to lead his team to South America.

There will be a couple of stumbling blocks in the way though.

As it stands Trappatoni gets paid €1.7 million a year by the FAI making him the highest paid official at the association but crucially €850k of that is paid by businessman Denis O'Brien who has signalled that he may be unwilling to keep the arrangement going after 2012.

Would Trap be willing to take a major pay cut? His statement of early intent would suggest so.

Perhaps, the largest question mark against Trappatoni is his health. He is not getting any younger and Brazil 2014 might be a bridge too far for any 75-year-old no matter how fit, healthy or motivated.

The other elephant in the room for the FAI is the growing disenchantment from the public with Trappatoni's tactics. Many feel that Ireland is too negative under the Italian and that he restricts their creative tendencies with his tactical set-up.

However, within the last year or so better technical players have become available to Trappatoni and the early word on the street is that Ireland has some very special players on the verges of making a break through at their Premiership clubs.

Most of the talk centres around the three 19-year-old Conor's.

Conor Henderson is gaining much attention and praise at Arsenal and made his debut at the club this season. Conor Clifford at Chelsea and the USA born Conor Doyle at Derby are also making great strides and much is expected of the trio, Chelsea U-19 captain Clifford in particular.

Add to the mix, Seamus Coleman (Everton), Ciaran Clarke (Aston Villa), James McCarthy (Wigan for how much longer?) and the ever improving Shane Long (Reading) and a very young nucleus of players for Brazil 2014 is starting to take shape.

Trappatoni has already brought Ireland to a new level in terms of professionalism and organisation, now begins the next step of the project where he integrates creativity and that little bit of flair that every team needs.

"I think, with this group, I achieved some very good results with a strong team. So maybe with UEFA... and FIFA... and the FIFA President (Sepp Blatter), I'm due a bit of credit, a bit of luck. Some payback."

"Some payback..."

This article previously featured on Premier League Report. Who is Willie Gannon? You can follow me on Twitter @WillieGannon.

Darren Randolph has declared himself ready if Giovanni Trapattoni needs to call him into action against Macedonia this Saturday in Ireland’s crucial European qualifying match.

The Dublin man has been in dynamite form at Motherwell, setting a club record for most clean sheets in a season with 15, including a 2-0 win against league leaders Celtic.

“It’s just good for a manager to show faith in you and give you the chance to play, which is exactly what Craig Brown and Motherwell have done for me,” said the goalkeeper on his newfound confidence.

“It’s good to be at a place where you’re wanted, and the No. 1 jersey is yours to keep and yours to throw away.

“I’m just enjoying playing week in—week out.”

The Motherwell keeper is predicted to go into Saturday’s clash as the second choice to Kieren Westwood for the boys in green, but he insists that he will perform if he is called into action.

“I’m confident if I do need to be called upon, I can do the job,” said Randolph.

The SPL player also highlighted that despite his respect for the veteran Irish goalkeeper, he also accepted that through Shay Given’s injury, he has been handed a golden opportunity to impress Trapattoni.

“I wouldn’t wish it on anybody,” he said with regard to Given’s injury, “but it’s now given me the chance to come in and stake my claim.”

Randolph admitted he will look to showcase his skills in training to keep himself in the thoughts of the Ireland boss.

With it being late in the Donegal man’s career, the keeper’s jersey will be up for grabs soon, and the 24-year-old wants to put himself in contention for it.

“Hopefully, I’ll just train well this week and keep in the boss’s thoughts, so he’ll keep me in mind for future games,” he said.

When asked if Alan Kelly and the goalkeeping coaches had told them what is expected of them, Randolph said: “No, just come in and train—and stop goals going in.”

The young goalkeeper is from good sporting stock; his father was one of the first American basketball players to come over and ply his trade in Ireland.

Randolph was also a talented basketball player in his time, and he suggested that this was why he was so good at dealing with high balls coming into the box.

“I’d be struggling if it wasn’t a good part of my game,” he laughed. “It should be from the basketball.”

Kevin Kilbane believes that Ciaran Clark is a “strong candidate” to take his usual left-back role in Ireland’s European qualifier against Macedonia this Saturday.

When asked if his position had been confirmed for the pivotal game, Kilbane said: “Nothing has been discussed. It will probably be Friday before we know, so we’ll wait and see."

“Hopefully, I’ll be in the team; if I’m not, I’ll just be supportive of the player that’s playing in my position.”

In the press conference earlier in the day, Giovanni Trapattoni admitted he is facing a difficult task in choosing between the experience of Kilbane and the pace of Clark.

“Of course, it’s a difficult decision, but that’s why he’s the manager, he has to make difficult decisions,” said the Huddersfield player.

When asked what his selection would be in the situation, Kilbane joked, “I’d go with myself all day—I’d be captain and all!”

On a more serious note, Kilbane took time to praise his teammate who is vying for the left-back spot.

“Ciaran Clark has been outstanding for Aston Villa, he’s playing in the top flight, so of course he’s going to be considered, and he’s a strong candidate definitely.”

Despite currently playing in Huddersfield’s midfield, Kilbane insists there will be no cobwebs if he’s pushed back into his usual fullback position.

“I’ve played a few times even at Huddersfield at left back; I’ve been used in a few different positions. I would hope that I could fit in wherever needs be.”

Originally written for The Evening Herald

Ireland climbed top of the Carling Nations Cup after a Damien Duff-inspired win saw the inaugural event's hosts comprehensively beat Wales, 3-0.

Manchester United star Darron Gibson boosted his long-range shooting reputation by blasting home a sensational 30-yard screamer to put the Irish 1-0 up.

Fulham's Damien Duff then capped a man-of-the-match display with a composed finish inside the penalty area to double Ireland's lead and open his international goalscoring account, before Keith Fahey brilliantly fired home a 25-yard free-kick to put the nail in the coffin for Wales.

Overall, a win never looked in doubt for Giovanni Trapattoni's side, who upped the game after a drab first-half and proved their quality as the highest FIFA-ranked team in the tournament.

And Wales showed the watching world that new boss Gary Speed as a lot of work to do with his men if he is to get them performing at the standard they do for their clubs week in and week out in the Premier League and Championship.

Key players Gareth Bale and Craig Bellamy weren't present, but nonetheless the attacking spark wasn't the only thing lacking from Wales' game.

Often their players were indecisive, not knowing where the next pass was going to go or where it was going to come from. They also lacked concentration, both up front and far more deleteriously at the back, with the second goal being a prime example along with Darron Gibson's effort as no Welsh player chose to close him down.

Usually under a new manager, the players have a renewed enthusiasm for their team and become extra motivated and determined. Unfortunately for Speed, all that collapsed after his side went a goal down.

Tactically the Welsh were all over the place, having no set plan inside the penalty area, and nothing else in attack apart from playing the ball out wide and attacking the full-backs (namely Aston Villa's Ciaran Clark, who made his debut), a plan that might've worked had Bale and Bellamy been playing, not the inexperienced, technically poorer Simon Church and Hal Robson-Kanu.

It's evident for Speed and his technical staff that the real hard work starts now if they have any hope of getting a positive performance from their sure-to-be emotionally charged encounter with England at the Millenium Stadium in March.

Besides a whole plethora of intricate and creative attacking tactics that the Wales coaching staff so desperately need to create and work on, Speed also needs to up his man-management skills to get his players more motivated, and far more crucially, more focused in their own and their opponent's final third.

It may have just been one game, but there aren't many positive signs so far for Speed, who could well need the help of a psychologist judging on his team's first performance under a new boss.

Ireland on the other hand, proved their better technical quality and ran out worthy winners.

However, they too have things to work on, such as getting a more effective passing strategy going, and not being so wasteful in the final third.

Giovanni Trapattoni has certainly got his players' work rate and morale levels on track, but his attacking tactics also leave a lot to be desired.

And judging by the attendance for the first ever Nations Cup clash, this tournament is going to be a low key affair with a relatively low quality of football, and as Wales proved, a lack of competitive spark.

Scotland take on Northern Ireland tomorrow in the second fixture, again to be at the 51,700 all-seater capacity Aviva Stadium in Dublin, the venue in which all Nations Cup matches will be held.

The chances of that one having a high attendance are low, as are the chances it'll be competitive, have any decent quality of football or indeed be in the media spotlight at all, what with all the international friendlies taking place, such as Argentina-Portugal, France-Brazil and Denmark-England.

It looks like the biennial Nations Cup won't be an instant hit with the football world, but for Ireland at least, it's one they look a sure fire bet to win.

Follow Yoosof Farah on Twitter @TheSportsJourno 

It has not been a particularly great week for Ireland or TIF. As the International Monetary Fund moved a step closer to becoming the Irish Monetary Fund, and TIF found out that 5 a.m. does exist, Ireland barely got out of neutral in their final international game of 2010 against Norway.

Spare a thought for young Seamus Coleman.

The 22 year-old fullback turned winger has become a key fixture for Everton in the Premiership, but sat out Ireland’s midweek defeat. Even a cameraman at the Aviva got in on the action, zooming in on the young Donegal man, as a nation willed Giovanni Trapattoni to bring him on.

As the Aviva’s screens showed a rather cheerless Seamus Coleman on the bench, the blog thought how it would feel to be “the brightest young talent,” and be called up for a game that “didn’t mean anything” (Kevin Doyle), to sit in the rain for the better part of 90 minutes.

Although not a situation that happened often during TIF’s illustrious youth football career, a situation the blog imagines would leave it feeling less than chirpy nonetheless.

While Giovanni Trapattoni’s earnings as Irish manager close in on €6 million, having come close to qualifying for a World Cup (Brian Kerr and Steve Staunton did little worse), TIF sipped black coffee and wondered if Coleman was indeed Ireland’s and football’s version of Chuck Norris.

Trapattoni has time and again stated the importance of his players to be playing regularly for their clubs. Coleman ticks that box, and at the highest level.

Even if Trapattoni has not watched him and other Irish young players in person, as his assistant Marco Tardelli seems to, and ignores comments from David Moyes at Everton, he should have at least seen Coleman on TV. 

The blog, for one, only has to look at his impact in its fantasy football team to realise he is worthy of a substitute appearance, at least.

Yesterday El Trap was none too pleased with the criticism he has come under and appeared to suggest the problem lay with the players’ inability to play the Trap Way. “I said before that the children from southern Italy or Napoli, they are not smarter but we pay attention to every little detail and situation. And there are many situations that determine a game.”

Given Trapattoni has had over two years with the team, one would hope the players would know what is expected of them. But, what exactly the Trap Way is, is open for discussion.

Recent results indicate that playing defensive minded players like Paul Green or Glenn Whelan clearly does not work. At the same time, by his omission of James McCarthy (absent on Wednesday through injury), he does not favour creative midfielders.

Given his dealings with Andy and Steven Reid as a precedent, it is going to be a long wait for the talented Chelsea midfielder, Conor Clifford. Currently on a loan spell at League One’s Plymouth Argyle, TIF has watched him in action for Ireland’s U21 side and he has shown his class.

While Giovanni Trapattoni gave balance as the reasoning behind leaving Coleman to enjoy Wednesday’s match from the sidelines—which felt like a bad training game—Erik Huseklepp chatted gleefully to the Norwegian media. The forward, whose 86th minute winner gave Ireland another reason to feel glum, took a minute to tell TIF that he thought Ireland would be better.

We agree Erik. We agree!

After being dealt a lesson in football on Friday night in Dublin, Ireland travels east to face Slovakia. The hopes are high for the Green Army going into this big encounter due to the shock defeat Slovakia faced at the hands of Armenia on Friday.

The Irish faithful will be looking for a full three points from this game, the only question is will Giovanni Trapattoni be looking for the same or setting up for one.

Shane Long - Striker

The biggest loss to Ireland suffered against Russia, other than the 3-2 defeat was the injury picked up by star man Kevin Doyle. He has without doubt been Ireland's best player in recent games and the Irish game plan has gone through him in every game.

Shane Long got his name on the scoresheet and did seem to up Ireland's attack when he entered the fray against Russia. 

The simple fact is, however, that Long does not give the same threat as Doyle, and Keane may be seen in a different light without Doyle to partner him and do all the donkey work.

Kevin Kilbane - Left Back

Kevin Kilbane, like many against Russia, was just plain awful. His ball retention, choices, and defensive lapses were on show for all to see.

Kilbane was caught out at the back on numerous occasions as he failed to tie down the left side. He was constantly caught out of position and Ireland paid the price.

He will again be targeted by the pacey wingers of Slovakia, most likely Vladimir Weiss. It will be imperative that Kilbane be at his best if Ireland are to retain any hopes of getting something positive from this game.

Paul Green - Centre Midfield

Paul Green was very much like Kilbane against the Russians. He was seen to be out of his depth and he was unable to keep up with the game for the majority of the match.

However, Trapattoni seems to have faith in the Derby midfielder, and he will be tested to the maximum against a strong centre pairing for Slovakia.

Paul Green will be given the duty of shadowing Marek Hamsik who is considered to be one of the great up and coming young midfielders in the game.

Green was very poor in his choice of passing, and failed to any degree to keep control of the ball for Ireland. It will be even more important away from home for Ireland to retain as much of the ball as possible.

Aiden McGeady - Left Winger

Aiden McGeady was another who fell under the guillotine for his Friday performance. Without Damien Duff out McGeady is expected to be the sole wide option for the Irish.

He is expected to get at the fullbacks and most importantly get some quality service into the front men. Time and time again against Russia McGeady would take to much on and lose possession. On the rare occasion he beat his man, he would fail on the delivery.

Much is expected, and needed, of McGeady tonight due to the loss of Doyle. Long ball is not a viable option for Ireland this time around if passing and dribbling fails.

Robbie Keane - Striker

Robbie Keane is seen as the face of the Irish team. He leads the team in all-time goals scored and always seems to be the man that pops up when Ireland needs him.

However, Kevin Doyle is the man who tends to do all the hard work, while Keane takes the glory. Without Doyle it will be very interesting to see how Keane plays.

How Keane gels and reacts to Shane Long playing alongside him will also be another interesting facet of play.

Portsmouth defender Marc Wilson recently was called-up to the Republic of Ireland squad, despite being born in Northern Ireland.

Wilson declared for the Republic to the delight of Ireland National Team manager Giovanni Trapattoni. Wilson's decision however did not go down well with everybody.

Northern Ireland manager Nigel Worthington has claimed that his country have been "exploited" by the Republic of Ireland and feels that this issue should be "dealt with firmly by the people at the top end of football."

The "granny rule" as many call it is a FIFA rule regarding the eligibility of a player playing for a nation other than the one in which he was born in.

The current ruling allows player to perform for a nation if they themselves were born there, if their parents or grandparents were born there, or if the player in question has lived in the country for two years continuously.

The rule has come under heavy scrutiny of late as many countries feel that they are being hard done by in relation players declaring for other nations.

In recent weeks it has been widely reported that Giovanni Trapattoni has approached Premier League midfielder Jamie O'Hara about playing for the Republic of Ireland.

Other eligible Republic of Ireland non-nationals that Trapattoni is reported to be interested in include Kevin Nolan, Mark Noble and Gary Cahill

Should FIFA allow football federations to legally poach other countries players?

Does FIFA need to change their ruling on International eligibility and limit a player's eligibility to the country in which he was born?

FIFA runs a major campaign for Fair Play.

But is it really fair that a country may lose one of their top talents because their grandparents happen to be from a "greater" football nation? Or because they have managed to live in a different country for a number of years?

In the last four World Cup tournaments only one country has managed to win the trophy fielding a team of country born citizens.

Brazil won the 1994 and 2002 World Cup with a team of born Brazilians.

Italy lifted the World Cup in 2006. They fielded Mauro Camoranesi who is originally an Argentinean citizen as well as Simone Perrotta, who was born in England.

France won the tournament in 1998 with a host of players who were not born in France. Lilian Thuram, Marcel Desailly, Christian Karembeu and Patrick Vieira were all players who played for France who were not born in the country.

In the last three years Brazil—as a winner and loser—has been the only finalists to consist of only players born to the country. 

Italy, France, as winners in 1998 and losers in 2006, along with Germany, who lost to Brazil in 2002, have all been finalists who fielded players who were born outside of the country.

Germany had Miroslav Klose (Poland), Oliver Neuville (Switzerland) and Gerald Asamoah (Ghana) in their squad.

In the European Championship only one team in the last three years has won the tournament with a full squad of nationals born in the country.

Greece won the trophy in 2004 with a squad of Greek born internationals.

The Italian side that lost to France in 1998 was the only other finalist in the last three years that had a team of players born in the country.

France who won in 1998 had Thuram, Desailly, and Vieira among others in their side. The Portugal side that lost to Greece in 2004 had Brazilian born Deco.

2008 winners Spain fielded Marcos Senna, who was born in Brazil, while losers Germany played Brazilian born Kevin Kuranyi and Polish born Lukas Podolski along with Klose.

FIFA advocates fair play but is it fair that a small African or European country should lose a talent born to them by an unjust FIFA rule?

Is it fair to give countries whom are blessed with strong competitive domestic leagues such as Spain, Italy, and France a loophole to snag players from other under privileged football nations?

England has a rich vein of talent to pick from; should they be gifted the opportunity to have other nations talent at their disposal?

While Lionel Messi deservedly won FIFA's Player of the Year Award for 2009, the real story from the star-studded Gala in Zurich was the FAI's refusal to accept a highly patronizing Fair Play Award.

"I think the way the president of FIFA behaved was an embarrassment to himself and an embarrassment to FIFA. There is an awards ceremony and they have offered us a Fair Play award. We've respectfully declined." said a dignified John Delaney, President of the FAI.

Ireland was knocked out of the World Cup at the European Playoff stage. They had been controversially beaten by France in Paris, after Thierry Henry handled the ball before setting William Gallas up to score the winner.

The handball was a blatant act of cheating by one of the world's most renowned players. Both the referee and the linesman missed the incident, even though the referee's assistant had a clear view of the incident.

France's progress to South Africa and Henry's act became worldwide news and at one stage it almost looked as if the match was going to be replayed after the huge furor.

From the outset, FIFA refused the FAI's request for a replay so the Irish association turned it's attention towards the only avenue left and appealed to the French Football Federation's sense of honor, inevitably the invitation was met with deaf ears.

With the furor showing no sign of abating as every media outlet in the world had their say, FIFA then fudged the entire incident by refusing the FAI's requests for replays to be used in incidents of high controversy.

FIFA dismissed the request, but then said they would consider using four referees, as used in the Europa Cup. But two days later this was also rejected.

With FIFA refusing to act on the incident in any way, the FAI made a formal request to Sepp Blatter, FIFA's President, for Ireland to be allowed to participate as the 33rd team in the 32 team tournament in South Africa.

The move was never designed to get Ireland into the World Cup, rather, it was designed for the topic to be used as a discussion for the FIFA board in an attempt to raise the issue of cheating and video replay.

However, a few days before the FIFA governing body were due to sit, Blatter ridiculed the FAI in a press conference to promote the new Adidas football that will be used in South Africa.

Holding the ball, Blatter said, "I mustn't handle the ball, you cannot handle the ball." Then in another press conference, he made fun of the FAI by announcing publicly that the FAI had requested to be named as the 33rd team while laughing.

Again the world's media sided with the FAI over Blatter's behaviour, even though many felt the request was foolish.

A couple of days later Blatter announced to the world that the FAI would receive a gift from FIFA that would not be monetary in value but would be of great significance to the game, he also apologised to the FAI over his behaviour.

Today's half hearted effort by FIFA to give Ireland the FIFA Fair Play Award is one of the most condescending acts ever perpetrated by the world's governing body.

It is a cowardly, insulting, self-serving act by Blatter to make himself look good in the eyes of the world with the tournament in South Africa just around the corner. His character has always been questioned, and that will only intensify after his actions over the past couple of months.

FIFA's credo is Fair Play, but yet they have failed to act in any way over the Henry incident. Not even a statement acknowledging the Barcelona player's act of cowardice.

Over the last number of years, cheating has seeped into the game at it's very core and FIFA have refused to act on a game that has evolved very little over the past 100 years.

While other sports have embraced technology and other means to stamp out cheating, FIFA have yet to act...

"With applause continuing to ripple around the hall, The Harlem Gospel Singers reappeared to sing a song of farewell as the evening’s prizewinners gathered around a beaming Messi. Rising to their feet, the audience then gave the galaxy of stars lighting up the stage a deserved standing ovation, setting the seal on a quite exceptional night." —FIFA.com

Unfortunately, there was no real Fair Play Award winner this year, as it seems FIFA just does not believe in it any more.

This article can also be read at Premier League Report