Trap To Ireland, No One Wonders Why (Anymore)

I’ve got to admit, when I first heard the rumors that Giovanni Trapattoni was heading to Dublin to take over the Irish National Team I scoffed. Nothing to do with Ireland, but because of his deal with Red Bull Salzburg. His massive deal with Red Bull Salzburg. The guy likes to get paid. Ireland national team? Can’t imagine they’re capable of making an offer Trap can’t refuse. Enter Irish bizman Denis O’Brien and his big ass billionaire’s checkbook.

Still, even with Denis bankrolling half the project, Trap will “only” be taking in €1m per annum, as opposed to th €4-5m he had been earning for horsing around in the Austrian Bundesliga. Not to mention as many Red Bulls as his heart desired. Part of this, he says, is to allow him to spend more time with his family, which is always worth giving up that much scrilla. (I just wish he had checked with me first.)

Of course, as is the case with all things Italian, FIFA is investigating the legitimacy of Trap’s contract, given the outside assistance. You know, I wish they would’ve been this proactive while Calciopoli was still in its infancy.

Trap has also decided to trade in his Matthaus for a Tardelli in the back room, as well as potentially adding in Liam Brady, head of Arsenal’s youth development. (Which probably means he’d be good.) So what he’s trying to do is create a war room of footballing minds which can take Ireland to the promised land. Or at least somewhere.

The substory, soon to vault to the forefront, is that Trap’s first big task will be to qualify for South Africa 2010 - in a group which includes his very own Azzurri. In case you’ve got short term amnesia, Trap coached them from 2000-2004 and left after, ummm, failing to advance from the Euros groups in 04 - which didn’t sit well. This will easily be the matchup of that group stage.

And good luck to Ireland after their first 1-0 lead.