Inside the mind of Giovanni Trapattoni
The last week has given us a chance to get to know our international team manager a bit better. His first squad announcement and his appearance on RTÉ's MNS for the FAI Cup draw, as well as his trip to Lurgan to watch the Republic of Ireland U-23s, meant we had some decent face time with the Italian legend.
To the cup draw first, and he and Marco Tardelli, who conducted the Ford FAI Cup third round draw, were as good as gold in rehearsal and in transmission. For a man who is already talking about the small percentages that make the critical difference to results, it was interesting to see how his own performance improved in the time between the run through and the real thing.
For a man for whom English is not his first, or indeed second, language, he insisted on ploughing through all 32 teams in the draw drum finding out which team is which and making sure his pronunciation of the relevant numbers was accurate.
When we got to Athlone he remembered his visit there 30 years ago, and when he asked which team I supported he said he would try to ensure that the Cup holders Cork City got a home draw. They did too, in rehearsal, though I hasten to add when the real thing came around live in the MNS programme Cork were drawn away to Mike Kerley's Limerick 37.
What was interesting to watch was how Trap played the room. It was a master class in charisma to see how his eyes caught those of the players and representatives from the non-league sides. His body language made it clear that he was on the side of the underdog, wanted the best result for them and immediately you could sense a warmth and rapport developing between Trapattoni and the Irish football family.
His ready smile got even wider when the rowdy gang from Drogheda Town urged him to pick their number out of the drum to face Bohemians at Dalymount Park. And he did! The man can certainly work a room and he floated out of the Ballsbridge venue cloaked with the aura of an emperor.
A little later on and my favourite moment of the week as two players from the Town, in a heightened state of giddy excitement, headed for the bar in the plush Dublin 4 venue eagerly asking: 'I wonder who I'll be marking, Glen Crowe or Jason Byrne?' Whoever it is, good luck to them.
Tuesday, and it was down to business for Ireland's first continental manager. Despite the growing paranoia of football managers towards the media, Trapattoni spent over two hours explaining his squad first to the electronic media, radio, television and the web, then the daily written press and then the holy of holies, the Sunday scribes.
Much was made of the possible return of the prodigals, Steve Finnan, Andy O'Brien and Stephen Ireland, but what was interesting was the return of Dean Kiely a terrific goalkeeper who is celebrating a return to the Premier League with West Bromwich Albion.
Kiely has been a model professional throughout his career, and with fewer English keepers in the top flight he will be viewed jealously by the FA and Fabio Capello.'
I guess he's been unfortunate that Shay Given has been so consistently good throughout his international career, although I do remember Kiely between the sticks against Turkey in the play-off in Bursa. It's absolutely crucial that we have cover in every position, especially one as important as keeper, and Shay's worrying injury record recently makes you think that Kiely may have a part to play yet in the unfolding Trapattoni drama.
Speaking of drama, why do I have the nagging feeling that the Stephen Ireland story is only at the first chapter of a saga? Trap looked him in the eye and the eyes don't lie, he says. What, I wonder, was he thinking as he sat down opposite the troubled Cobh youngster.
He was thinking of Andrea Cassano, it seems, as he explained at the press conference. He brought the gifted player into the Italian world cup squad despite the fact that many believed his presence would be more a source of trouble and unrest than harmony.
Explaining Cassano's state of mind he simply said: 'He is from Naples!'
Cork people everywhere bristled with indignation. What's wrong with being from the south of the country with a stubborn and independent streak that lends itself to the arts music and football?
The Robbie Keane issue is an interesting one. The Tottenham man is in the form of his life and Trapattoni says he will continue to be the Republic of Ireland captain, though many believe that the burden of captaincy impairs his ability to perform at his height. Giving him permission to attend to wedding preparations suggests also that unlike previous regimes Trap will treat his special players differently. How this plays out with the remainder of the squad remains to be seen.
It's great to see players like Damien Delaney and Wes Hoolahan making the squad for the Portugal training camp. As much as anything, it’s another boost to players who currently play at League of Ireland level. Like Darryl Murphy, Kevin Doyle and Shane Long, it proves to other players who plied their trade in the eircom league that the gap to international football may not be insurmountable.
What should have been a bridge for that gap, the U-23 Challenge Trophy match between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland in Lurgan, turned out to be something of a farce.
Trapattoni made the trip up the motorway from Abbotstown and joined up with Pat Fenlon's squad at the Ballymascanlon Hotel, outside Dundalk. Watch out for behind-the-scenes footage with Trapattoni and the U-23s on MNS on Monday.
When he arrived at Glenavon's ground he was surrounded by photographers and camera crews and various welcoming committees. Once again you could see the switch flick as the old pro turned on the charm for all and sundry. He then went for a cup of tea before himself and Marco Tardelli took their seats minutes before the scheduled kick-off, enough time to see a disgrace of a pitch with mushroom clouds of dust rising in both goalmouth and the centre circle.
And then a delay of almost half an hour as the two teams fought over what socks to wear with neither side prepared to budge over a kit crisis.
Once again I wondered what on earth must Trapattoni be thinking? One of the most celebrated and successful football figures of all time, handling himself with all the poise and professionalism his legendary status denotes and utter chaos unfolding in front of him.
At times like this you'd love to know what exactly goes on inside the mind of Giovanni Trapattoni. No doubt the next week in Portugal, and then the first games against Serbia and Colombia, will give us a deeper insight.
Interesting times ahead.
