Trap was linked with the position last week after it was claimed that the Irish Football Association (FAI) had the veteran Italian’s name on their shortlist to replace Steve Staunton.Although the former Azzurri boss dismissed the rumours, stories in Ireland on Saturday are insisting that a deal is on the horizon.
A variety of national newspapers, including the Irish Sun and the Irish Examiner, claim that the 68-year-old wants the job and is close to reaching an agreement.
The FAI apparently want to confirm his appointment before the national side take on Brazil in Dublin in midweek.
Should Trapattoni put pen to paper, he could be assisted in the role by Liam Brady. The former midfielder, an integral part of the Arsenal youth system, worked under Trap at Juventus in the early 1980's.
Trapattoni, currently at Austrian club Red Bull Salzburg, has spent a lifetime at the top of Italian and world football with sides such as Milan, Fiorentina, Inter, Juventus, Cagliari, Bayern Munich, Benfica and Stuttgart.
He won seven Serie A titles - his six with Juventus included two during Brady's spell in Turin. He also won the Bundesliga with Bayern, last year's Austrian title with Salzburg and numerous cup competitions.
However, Trap's spell in charge of the Italian national team is a rare blot on his glittering CV. He was criticised for his negative tactics as the Azzurri lost in the last 16 at the 2002 FIFA World Cup and failed to get out of their group at UEFA Euro 2004.
After England opted for Italian Fabio Capello for their 2010 World Cup campaign, Ireland could follow a similar route – which would be intriguing as the World champions Italy are in Ireland’s World Cup qualifying group.
Source: C4 Football Italia
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