Trap happy despite pay cut

INTERNATIONAL SOCCER:TWO MORE years. When Giovanni Trapattoni confirmed yesterday the news that he and Marco Tardelli would be staying on until at least the end of the Republic of Ireland's 2014 World Cup campaign, he did so in just about the least flashy way imaginable. An FAI press release, a five-minute interview on Newstalk and the rest left up to FAI chief executive John Delaney throughout the day on TV and radio. Two more years, no waiting.

“We came to our agreement very quickly,” said Trapattoni of the contract negotiations that took place over the weekend. “There is no problem between us and the FAI. We are happy and I think also the FAI are happy. In fact, we came to our agreement immediately.

“I am very happy to continue my job with the FAI. I have always said Marco and I believe very strongly in the work that we are doing to grow and develop the Irish team. It is a huge honour and a privilege to represent the Irish team and we look forward to continuing this important task.”

This was not a situation into which you would have welcomed the element of surprise – all anyone was after was the status quo nailed down for the foreseeable future. Trapattoni wanted to stay on and add a further verse to what has already been a highly enjoyable swan song for him. And it went without saying if the FAI were able to locate the means to keep him, they would.

That they could was again down to businessman Denis O’Brien. The FAI were at pains to thank the telecoms billionaire for continuing to pick up half the €1.5 million annual tab for the 72-year-old Italian and his backroom team.

“The FAI board of management are particularly grateful to Denis O’Brien for his continuing contribution which gives the Irish team and supporters the benefit of Giovanni’s services into the next World Cup campaign,” they said.

That contribution means despite taking a pay cut of about €200,000 a year, Trapattoni will continue to work in one of the most lucrative international jobs in European football. While exact figures can be sketchy from country to country, there is no disputing the fact Trapattoni will be among the best-paid managers at the European Championships in Poland and Ukraine next summer.

Outside of Fabio Capello’s gargantuan €7 million salary Trapattoni’s holds up well against his peers. Joachim Loew, manager of the second favourites for the European Championships Germany, comes next after Capello on €2.4 million whereas Italian manager Cesare Prandelli and French coach Laurent Blanc both earn an annual stipend of €1.2 million.

Even Vicente Del Bosque, who oversees World Cup winners Spain, has a contract worth about €1.8 million. These figures are basic pay only and those contracts will all have bonus elements built into them which would have made the past four years especially worth Del Bosque’s while.

But still, for Trapattoni to only trail the manager or the World and European champions by €300,000 a year after taking a pay cut only goes to show how competitive O’Brien’s contribution makes the Ireland job these days.

Indeed, it isn’t just Trapattoni’s pay cheque that makes for decent reading in Irish football. With Delaney worth a generous salary of €400,000 a year, he also compares well with his counterparts elsewhere in Europe. “We’ll do well out of qualifying for Euro 2012,” Delaney said yesterday, “but that will go towards Aviva (Stadium) debt. We need to clear that by 2020. In terms of financing the management team it was important Denis continue his support.”

As for O’Brien, he was obviously delighted to welcome the news. “Giovanni Trapattoni has done a tremendous job in bringing Ireland to qualification for the Euros for the first time since 1988,” he said. “His professionalism, experience and close working relationship with the players has developed a squad which has grown in self-belief and determination.”

MANAGEMENT IRELAND: Trap and his team

Giovanni Trapattoni

Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni will be 73 on March 17th and approaching the end of his fourth year in charge. In that time he has proved himself the model employee, achieving more, demanding less. He has taken two pay cuts – from €2 million per year, down to €1.7 million and, yesterday, down to around €1.5 million. He is based in Milan, from where he keeps track of Ireland players via television and his London-based assistant Marco Tardelli. He meets up with the squad around seven or eight times a year for competitive and friendly games.

Marco Tardelli

The master's apprentice, a World Cup winner as a player after he scored in the final against West Germany in 1982, has been with Trapattoni from the start of their Irish journey. Based in London, the 57-year-old is essentially the manager's eyes and ears in England, where he attends Premier League and Championship games to assess squad members and potential additions. He takes a very hands-on approach in training and shares media duties with the manager in the build-up to matches. A very approachable and affable character, he has made no secret of his desire to succeed Trapattoni one day. He is thought to earn about €500,000 a year.

Fausto Rossi

Fitness coach Fausto Rossi, believed to be earning about €250,000 per annum, is a native of Perugia and is still based there. He has worked alongside Trapattoni at Fiorentina, Benfica, Salzburg and when the Italian managed his homeland at the 2002 World Cup and 2004 European Championships. The 61-year-old is a former track and field athlete and was a goalkeeper when playing at inter-regional level in Serie C2. He began a career as a trainer in 1977, working with youth teams before going full-time in 1991 with Triestina and then at Ravenna. His remit with Ireland consists of acclimatising the players and monitoring fitness and workload ahead of games.

– CARL O'MALLEY