Trapattoni looks to the future with Euro place all but secure

Tomorrow night, a team moulded very much in the 72-year-old Italian’s image will attempt to confirm its participation in next summer’s Euro 2012 finals in Poland and the Ukraine having powered their way to a 4-0 play-off first leg lead over Estonia in Tallinn on Friday.

His continued presence at the helm appears to be tied tightly to the battle for qualification, and with successful completion of that mission estimated to be worth around 8million Euros to the Football Association of Ireland, he could hardly have stated his case much more eloquently.

Talks are yet to take place, but if it has anything to do with Trapattoni, a relationship which has been part-funded by businessman Denis O’Brien for the last three and a half years will move into a new phase.

He said: “Surely, I would be disappointed or upset if I had to leave because I am sure we can do better and we can repeat our performance in qualification towards the World Cup in Brazil because now we have a strong, young team.

“When we change these senior players, I am sure we have options behind them which are very, very strong.”

Trapattoni has, of course, led something of a nomadic existence in a career which has brought him league titles in four different countries, and he has never been averse to a new challenge.

However, he is confident he has established a firm foundation with Ireland and is keen to build upon it.

He said: “One of my friends, many years ago when I was a very, very young manager, said to me, ‘Why do you want to go? Remember, the more woods you visit, the more wolves you find’.

“Our team is a good team. We play good football – maybe we do not have super-creative players, but we have very, very good players, modern players, quick players and a balance between defenders and attackers.

“That is the modern thing. After that, there is maybe Messi or Ronaldo or others, but our team without these great names is a very strong team.”

Trapattoni has, understandably, been questioned about his future repeatedly in recent months, and last week said he would look to stay in the game even if a new offer from the FAI did not materialise.

Asked if he faced a straight choice between Ireland and retirement, he replied, indulging the Italian superstition of touching iron rather than wood, said: “No, no. I would continue life. In Italy, we say the older wine gets, the better it tastes – if you are still clear in your mind, and thank God, I think I am still clear in my mind.”

FAI chief executive John Delaney was photographed embracing his manager after the game in Tallinn, but asked what he had said to him, Trapattoni replied simply: “Congratulations.”

For public consumption, Delaney insisted he is yet to discuss the contract situation with either O’Brien or the Italian.

He told the Irish Sunday Independent: “I haven’t discussed it with Denis and nor should I.

“The position from our side is let’s see how we get on and see what happens this year.”