FAI ready to name manager

Giovanni Trapattoni will be named as the new Republic of Ireland manager at an FAI press conference on Wednesday afternoon.

FAI chief executive John Delaney confirmed earlier today that the association will be in a position to appoint the new manager on Wednesday and, while he refused to name Trappatoni, it is understood the former Italy coach has already agreed a deal.

Delaney told reporters earlier today that he had spoken with caretaker coach Don Givens, who heads the three-man panel appointed to find a new manager.

Delaney said the panel, known as the "three wise men", had conducted "various interviews" over the last couple of days.

"I am not going to say where they were or where they weren't," Delaney said. "What I will be able to do on Wednesday night is tell you who the next manager is.

"There have been so many names mentioned during the process but, come Wednesday, we will name who the next manager will be."

The recruitment panel is understood to have met the current Salzburg manager last night and the 68-year-old will take the job in May when his contract with the Austrian club finishes.

As expected the deal would see Liam Brady appointed among the backroom team with former Italian international Claudio Gentile named as assistant manager.

Trapattoni's last taste of international management came with Italy, who he led to the 2002 World Cup and Euro 2004.

However, after a shock second-round exit to South Korea in the former, he was not kept on by the Italian FA when the Azzurri failed to progress from their group in Portugal four years ago.

His next stop was Benfica, who he led to the Portuguese title, before an ill-fated and brief spell at Stuttgart in Germany's Bundesliga.

A glittering managerial career has also taken in some of Europe's biggest clubs including AC Milan, Bayern Munich and Juventus.

If Trapattoni is confirmed in his new post on Wednesday, it will bring to an end a long hunt for the new Republic boss following Steve Staunton's sacking on October 24th last year.