GIOVANNI TRAPATTONI’S IRISH team may now only have a minimal say in how Euro 2012 pans out, but the manager certainly had a lot to say today.
When Trapattoni was yet again asked about Roy Keane’s ITV criticisms, the Italian seemed to finally snap in an unguarded aside that was not intended for the media.
Turning to translator Manuela Spinelli, Trapattoni remarked in Italian, “what’s he won [as a manager] for fuck’s sake.”
Profanity aside, it was not too different to what Trapattoni said in his public statement.
I always said he has been a great player. He has also achieved very great success but I don’t know if he has achieved the same result as a manager. I can ask him why? Why? For an intelligent man, I can’t understand.”
When Robbie Keane was asked for his comments, he deadpanned “We’ll leave it at that.”
Given Trapattoni’s general politeness and diplomacy over the past few weeks – and, indeed, years – it was somewhat unusual.