Giovanni Trapattoni cannot wait to take the Republic of Ireland to Euro 2012 next summer.
Not even the prospect of landing a group including world and reigning European champions Spain, plus his native Italy and a dangerous Croatia side following last night's group stage draw in Kiev could dampen his enthusiasm.
"I really love my job and it will give me huge satisfaction to take Ireland to a Finals," he said.
"It shows that when you are really well organised and have real self-belief you can do it, even with smaller countries.
"Everybody on the Irish team is looking forward to bringing our football and our style to the tournament.
"For me it is not about what I have done in the past, and I have done a lot, but about what the future will bring."
Trapattoni had already admitted he did not want to play Italy, the team he managed at the 2002 World Cup and European Championships in Portugal two years later.
Quite aside from the build-up to a game that obviously means more than most, and having to change some pre-tournament training plans, the 72-year-old feared the threat posed by a resurgent Azzurri, who are once again punching their hefty weight on the international stage after a period in the doldrums.
But now he knows he will, in Poznan - the final game in a group that opens with a clash against Croatia before the little matter of a trip to Gdansk on 14 June for a meeting with a Spain side looking to create history by becoming the first side to win three international tournaments on the trot.
"I wanted to avoid Italy because they are strong mentally and because we know each other," said Trapattoni.
"We knew we had to face strong opponents and I hope we don't do ourselves harm and that we get to June 18 in a calm way."
Meeting Italy will not be a new experience. Ireland managed two draws against them in qualification for the 2010 World Cup, deprived of a win at Croke Park by Alberto Gilardino's effort two minutes from time.
And in June this year, Keith Andrews and Simon Cox scored when an experimental team recorded a surprise 2-0 win in Liege.
There is also the little matter of that game in New York, when Ray Houghton scored the only goal to give Ireland one of the greatest nights in their entire history at USA '94.
"I must convince my players it will be another game," said Trapattoni.
"They may prepare better."
