Ireland seeks successor to Trapattoni
Ireland is looking for a new soccer coach after Italian Giovanni Trapattoni left his post by mutual consent
Former Republic of Ireland soccer manager Giovanni Trapattoni left his post by mutual consent, the Football Association of Ireland has confirmed.
Tuesday’s 1-0 loss away to Austria all but extinguished the Republic’s hopes of qualifying for next year’s World Cup finals in Brazil and that led the FAI to part company with veteran Italian manager Trapattoni and his assistant, Marco Tardelli.
“I want to thank everyone in Ireland who has given us their support during our time here which has always meant a lot to us,” Trapattoni, who was under contract until next June, said in a FAI statement.
“We leave this country with emotion because we understand the Irish supporters who have a well-deserved international reputation and they have our utmost respect.”
The 74-year-old added: “I would like to thank [FAI chief executive] John Delaney, [president] Paddy McCaul, [honorary secretary] Michael Cody and the FAI board for their support and friendship over the last five-and-a-half years.
“I would also want to thank all FAI staff members, including the backroom team and the players, who have been great to work with during the last three campaigns.
“I wish them well in the future and hope that the job we have done leaves everything in a good place for my successor to take over,” he added after the defeat by Austria left the Republic with only a slim mathematical chance of overhauling Sweden to take second place in the European zone World Cup qualifying Group C.