Trapattoni assumes control

Trapattoni Press Conference: There was plenty of bonhomie and backslapping as Giovanni Trapattoni was introduced to an expectant media at the RDS in Dublin this afternoon.

The Italian, supremely relaxed at his official unveiling as the new Republic of Ireland manager, was welcomed by FAI president David Blood. The 69-year-old's backroom team, including former Ireland international Liam Brady and World Cup winner Marco Tardelli, were also on hand.

But today was all about 'Il Capo'.

Given that it is now 191 days since Steve Staunton was shown the door, it was no surprise the Irish public were keen to hear what the new man had to say and Trapattoni certainly made all the right noises.

Standing to address each question from the floor, he spoke enthusiastically and without the aid of a translator who joined him at the top table. His solo efforts had scribbling hacks scratching their heads at times, yet further enhanced the Italian's reputation for meeting challenges head on and doing things his own way.

Trapattoni's message was simple: He remains confident of delivering on his stated goal of reaching the next World Cup in South Africa.

"I'm looking forward to the challenge of helping Ireland qualify for the 2010 World Cup," he said. "It will be difficult, we're in a group with five other very good teams. But I have trust."

Trapattoni's first role as manager will be to whittle a 40-man squad down to 28 ahead of the friendly against Serbia on May 24th. His first sessions with the players will be held at a training camp in Portugal in the build-up to the Serbia game.

"We have two very important weeks coming up. Shortly we will reduce the preliminary squad from 40 down to 28 players," said Trapattoni. "We will talk to those players who have retired from international football, but who are still playing at a high level.

"They don't have to talk to me today about their decision. But if they don't (return) we will move on," he added, making reference to Andy O'Brien and Steve Finnan. He is loath to losing the latter, whose professionalism and experience he clearly admires.

"I will then use the training camp in Portugal to get our ideas across to the players. I already know many, many players. I saw many DVDs. The time in Portugal is very important for us to understand the young players and their character. Their character is very important."

One such player he will cast a close eye over is the truant Stephen Ireland. He has already discussed the Manchester City midfielder with Brady and Tardelli and will talk with the player himself over the next 10 days. "He (Stephen Ireland) is a very important player for us. He is young but he has quality."

Trapattoni said leaving the captain's armband with Robbie Keane was an "easy" decision. However, the new boss also highlighted Damien Duff, Finnan, Kevin Doyle and Richard Dunne as potential leaders and key to any future success.

Trapattoni went on to heap praise on his backroom staff, who he believes bring a wealth of experience to the table.

"I am grateful I have Marco Tardelli and Liam Brady as my assistants. They were two very good players for me many years ago. They are also two very experienced football men," said the manager, noting that Brady took all of three seconds in deciding to come on board after the initial call was made.

The virtues of fitness coach Fausto Rossi, goalkeeping coach Alan Kelly and scouts Mick Martin and Frank Stapleton, were also extolled by the new manager, as was the importance of working together in "trust and friendship".

Like Brady, Trapattoni also said his decision to join up with the FAI was a straight forward one and in keeping with his mantra of embracing fresh challenges. He reeled off the circumstances surrounding his departures from Juventus and Inter Milan after he'd won a plethora of trophies and could easily have got comfortable.

Perhaps the best example of the Italian's determination to finish a job is that of his return to Bayern Munich after a turbulent first spell.  Second time round he won the Bundesliga and the German Cup.

Trapattoni's arrival in Dublin is indeed a coup for the FAI and despite the high profile appointment there was none of the fanfare that accompanied some of his predecessors.  Fans and the media will be encouraged by this introduction, as they were with the appointment. The hope now is that the trust and friendship endures inside and outside the camp.

AUDIO: Listen to today's press conference at the RDS as Giovanni Trapattoni meets the press