Trapattoni rejects fame game

New Republic of Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni has warned his players reputation alone will not earn them a place in his squad.

Trapattoni on Thursday officially took charge of the Republic, and the veteran Italian is charged with the task of ending years of hurt by taking the side to the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa.

Trapattoni, who has won a string of trophies as player and manager during a glittering career, is more concerned with what any given player can achieve than what they have achieved.

That was case in point with regard to a famous outburst in a press conference when he was boss of Bayern Munich as he exploded in fury at one of his so-called stars.

'I was angry,' insisted Trapattoni.

'What I was trying to get across is that just because you are famous, it doesn't mean you are going to be selected to play.

'All players are the same to me whether they are famous or not.'

'All the Ireland players have to be proud to be in the national squad, that's the first thing,' insisted Trapattoni, whose by-word is 'trust'.

'After that, they must trust what I say because in my life I have been lucky, but I also have many (mental) scars.

'So when the players trust me, trust my mentality, we can achieve 10% more.

'I don't look for impossible situations because what is the most important thing: words, or actions on the pitch?

'We've some good players with good qualities, but they have to believe in me. That is important.'

Trapattoni has often come across as a renowned taskmaster, someone who does not suffer fools gladly, and that is a point he will also make to his players.

'When you play for a national team, you are professional and so your behaviour is important,' assessed Trapattoni.

'For sure, there will be discipline because that is important, but for me it is how people personally respond to what I tell them.'

Although Trapattoni has yet to speak to any of the players, he will have ample time to get to know them during a two-week gathering at the end of this month.

A training camp in the Algarve is followed by friendly games with Serbia at Croke Park and then Colombia at Fulham's Craven Cottage.

They will go some way towards Trapattoni assessing the merits of his squad ahead of the World Cup qualifying campaign that will begin in September.

With the Football Association of Ireland sparing no expense in appointing Trapattoni and a highly-experienced backroom team that includes Marco Tardelli, Liam Brady and Frank Stapleton, nothing less than success will be expected.

'I have already said I am here because we have good players, and we have a chance of qualifying,' insisted Trapattoni.

'Look at Greece four years ago. Who thought Greece would win the European Championships?'