Gaffers (33 page)

Trapattoni has also shown that despite not having the strongest grasp of the English language he is not afraid to make tough decisions. The manager has courted negative publicity for omitting Andy Reid from the squad on a regular basis, while he has also found disfavour with Sam Allardyce by commenting on Steven Reid’s ongoing injury problems. And Clinton Morrison, Lee Carsley and Steve Finnan have all been left out in the cold by Trapattoni as he battles to put his own stamp on the squad, although, with an emphasis on the future, the likes of Glenn Whelan and Leon Best have come into the squad.

Despite the team starting to take shape during the qualifiers, the football played was reminiscent of the Italian style, with Trapattoni happy to sit back and defend, and it is significant to note that Ireland’s biggest win under Trapattoni came in his twenty-first game in charge, a 3–0 win over Algeria; prior to that 2–1 had been his biggest victory. There appeared to be a certain lack of confidence in the abilities of the players, but as the campaign went on, belief increased in both the management and on the field, and the football became that bit more expressive. The highlight of the campaign was during October 2009 at Croke Park in the Italy match, which showed that when the reins were taken off, the team could perform and entertain. However, the draws in previous qualifying matches
cost Ireland dear, and they needed to slip through the back door if they were going to make it to South Africa for the 2010 World Cup.

PLAY-OFF HEARTBREAK YET AGAIN

As we have seen throughout this book, the Ireland team do not like play-offs, especially when they are against European teams. From Spain in 1965, Holland in 1995 and Belgium in 1997 to Turkey in 1999, history has shown that we do not win when the going gets that bit tougher. However, after going through a qualifying campaign unbeaten against Italy and Bulgaria, the hopes of a nation were high.

Two weeks before the end of the group matches, FIFA suddenly announced that there would be seeding for the playoffs. This had a massive impact on Ireland’s chances. Being a smaller footballing nation in terms of success, Ireland would not have the benefit of the seeding and as such were faced with the possibility of a play-off game against either Portugal, France or Russia, three of Europe’s big guns. The reward for finishing second in their group meant that Ireland would eventually be paired with France, a side that was rumoured to be disjointed and fraught with internal bickering under Raymond Domenech. In what would become a tale of perceived rough justice against Ireland, they had to play the former world champions at home first, handing the advantage to France.

The first leg was a game of two halves, with Ireland showing the tactical awareness that had become a trademark of the Trapattoni reign, dominating their opposition from the start. However, the second half saw France come out of their shell, and a deflected goal saw them home 1–0.

So with their backs to the walls the time had come for Trapattoni to show the nation just why he was so well paid. What happened in the second leg will no doubt become part of Irish folklore. Trapattoni changed his cautious approach and arranged for the team to play higher up the field. This was the first time that the team had really been allowed the freedom to play, and they pushed France all the way to extra time before a tragic goal, that would have Diego Maradona smiling, settled the affair. Thierry Henry was the villain in the piece as he controlled the ball with his hand in the box to cross for William Gallas to head home. The goal was a result of a simple free kick into the box by Florence Malouda from just inside the halfway line. The ball was not dealt with by the Irish defence, but was heading out of play when Henry intervened. It was a hugely disappointing end to what had been one of Ireland’s finest away performances in a competitive match. The goal stood, despite the protests of the Irish players, and Ireland would not be going to the World Cup. Instead Trapattoni and the team would have to switch their focus to the European Championship in 2012. Trapattoni has agreed to remain with the team for that campaign and carry on the good work that has been done since his appointment.

Despite its unfortunate outcome, the France game helped restore public faith in the Ireland team. The game in this country had stagnated after Japan 2002, and the France match could well turn out to be a turning point for football in Ireland. While we might have failed to qualify, the manner of defeat was treated as a victory by many football purists, as Ireland outplayed France for almost 120 minutes.

Football and the economy hardly work in tandem with one another – the share prices of the Bank of Ireland and Élan are not dependent on whether Ireland win, lose or draw – but at a time when the country is going through a tough patch and people have little to cheer about, the performances of the Ireland team under Trapattoni have restored some much-needed pride and belief. Under Trapattoni, Irish football appears to be on the up again.

GIOVANNI TRAPATTONI’S CLUB MANAGERIAL HONOURS RECORD:

Juventus:

Six Italian Serie A titles: 1977, 1978, 1981, 1982, 1984 and 1986
Two Italian Cups: 1979 and 1983
One European Cup: 1985
Two UEFA Cups: 1977 and 1993
One UEFA Cup-Winners’ Cup: 1984
One European Super Cup: 1984
One Intercontinental Cup: 1985

Inter Milan:

One Italian Serie A title: 1989
One UEFA Cup: 1991

Bayern Munich:

One Bundesliga title: 1997
One German Cup: 1998

S.L. Benfica:

One Portuguese League title: 2005

Red Bull Salzburg:

One Austrian League title: 2007

GIOVANNI TRAPATTONI’S IRELAND RECORD:

Number of games played: 21
Total number of wins: 8 (38.10%)
Total number of draws: 10 (47.61%)
Total number of losses: 3 (14.29%)
Biggest win: 3–0
v
. Algeria
Biggest defeat: 3–0
v
. Australia
Longest run unbeaten: 6 games