MORE THAN ONCE over the past few weeks, a pensive Giovanni Trapattoni has fallen back on the image of the cliff to describe his uncertain future in international management.
And even though Friday night’s comprehensive win in Tallinn has all but guaranteed Ireland’s spot among the European elite in Poland and Ukraine next summer, the Italian maintains that he’s still hovering dangerously close to the edge.
Judging by the broad grin he was sporting back at the team’s Malahide base last night, you’d never have guessed it.
The 4-0 first-leg win against Estonia — Ireland’s first time to score four away from home since Cyprus in 2001 — has immeasurably strengthened the manager’s backers in the interminable “should he stay or should he go” saga.
Qualification for Ireland’s first European Championships in almost a quarter of a century was always the stated target. Barring an unthinkable collapse on Tuesday night, Trap has delivered on his promise. That settles it then, doesn’t it?
Not quite, and the man who has carved a successful managerial career out of the art of discipline for almost 40 years is taking his own counsel, remaining tight-lipped on the matter.
“You can put this question to the President, Mr Delaney,” Trapattoni said when asked about talks on an extension to his three-and-a-half year tenure.
“At this moment, we remain concentrated about the match.”
Despite hints a few weeks ago that he could walk away post-qualification and leave Ireland in the lurch, Trapattoni’s own vision for his future is becoming increasingly clear. With the Estonian cat now in the sack, he needs a different animal for his Cantona-esque philosophical musings.
“I would be disappointed if I had to leave because I am sure that we can do better and we can repeat our performance in qualification for the next World Cup in Brazil.
I’ve changed between many teams in many countries. My friend, many years ago when I was a younger coach/manager, said to me ‘Why do you want to go? Remain here. The more woods you visit, the more wolves you find.’
With little encouragement, Trap’s acolytes will tell you that the results since early 2008 speak for themselves, that he has managed to get a pool of rather unremarkable players to punch well above their weight.
The inference may be slightly unfair to a team of hard-working and talented professionals, yet Trapattoni knows that it makes qualification all the more impressive.
“We are proud about this team.
“I repeat many times, our team is a good team, we play good football. Maybe we have no super-creative players, but we have very good play. Good play, quick play, a balance in offence and defence — that is the modern team.
Other teams, they have Messi or Ronaldo, but without a great name like this, our team is a very good team.
It would take some serious genealogical creativity to find an Irish passport for someone with the flair and ability of these world greats. That’s what makes the test so challenging for Trap. He knows well that his utilitarian style has won him few friends and so every time he speaks, he feels compelled to stress that his job is about the result rather than the show that goes with it.
Somewhat fortuitously, perhaps, the 3,000 Irish fans who jammed into the A. Le Coq arena and its surrounding pubs and clubs got both on Friday.
And with the pressure off and a capacity crowd heading to the Aviva Stadium in the mood for a party on Tuesday night, Trapattoni is anxious to avoid a damp squib and prove that his boys are value for money.
“I said this morning that we have the duty to repeat the same game, maybe not with the same goals, because our supporters, the Irish people, want success. I told the team this morning that it would not be easy.
“It’s important that we play this game with the same serious approach, for our opponent and for the people coming to the stadium, watching the game, paying for a ticket and expecting a result.
We must have respect for these people because at this moment, with the financial crisis, it’s a sacrifice to come to the stadium. We have to have respect for them and show them our commitment.
