Former Fiorentina boss Giovanni Trapattoni was named as Italy coach yesterday on a two-year contract.

Trapattoni, the most successful coach in Serie A history, takes over from Dino Zoff, who resigned on Tuesday following criticism of his tactics in the final of Euro 2000, which Italy lost 2-1 to France.

Denis Irwin looks set to win himself a unique place in football history by smashing the all-time attendance record for a testimonial match.

The Republic of Ireland full-back has been rewarded for his service to the Old Trafford club with a lucrative testimonial against local rivals Manchester City on August 16th.

If the new West Stand is completed in time, the attendance looks set to be around 64,000 - some 4,000 more than the previous record held by Sir Bobby Charlton in 1972.

Mick Cooke has resigned as manager of the Republic of Ireland senior and under-18 women's international teams.

Cooke, in charge for the past eight years gives his involvement with Shamrock Rovers as the reason behind his decision to quit. Bradford yesterday agreed a club record-shattering £2.5 million fee for Leeds midfielder David Hopkin. City chairman Geoffrey Richmond is now planning to tie up the deal for the Scottish international by the weekend.