Giovanni Trapattoni has agreed a deal to stay on as Ireland manager for another two years – but he longer wants to play England at the Euro 2012 finals.
The 72-year-old Italian targeted a new contract as soon as he had secured qualification for next summer’s finals with play-off victory against Estonia.
Trap has now agreed the terms of his two year contract extension with the FAI which will again be part-funded by businessman Denis O’Brien.
It is believed the contract is worth approximately $2million a year to Trapattoni, a slight drop on his previous deal.
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“I will be staying, it is agreed but it is not signed yet,” said Trapattoni who will sign the deal in Dublin this week before flying to Kiev for Friday’s draw.
“We have agreed in principal, yes. There are no public details as of yet but we have agreed in principal and everything is going forward.
“I will be in Dublin this week and then I will fly to Kiev with the FAI for the European Championship draw. I am happy with this.
“We are also very proud of the job we are doing with Ireland. We have answered the call in a way. It was our duty to achieve these objectives and have managed to achieve what we were asked to do when we came here.
“We have improved the ranking and we have qualified the team for a finals. There is a massive pride for us to make the whole country proud and happy once again.”
A national hero in Ireland after securing the country’s first qualification in 10 years, Trapattoni is in no rush for a repeat of the Euro ’88 clash with England.
“I want to avoid Germany and England,” said Trapattoni with the FAI keen to bring Fabio Capello’s side to Dublin for a friendly ahead of the finals.
“I don’t want Germany because they are one of the best teams in the world at present and England because of the emotions tied up with a game against them for Ireland.
“It would not be a problem for me or Fabio Capello because, as professional coaches, we have to move above the emotion but I know what it would mean to the fans and to the two countries. I would rather play England now in a friendly before the tournament.”
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