Trapattoni set for Republic post
Giovanni Trapattoni is the favourite to be named the new Republic of Ireland manager after a Football Association of Ireland board meeting on Wednesday.
The former Italy coach, 68, is expected to take over in May, once his contract at Red Bull Salzburg expires.
The Republic have been without a permanent boss since Steve Staunton was sacked in October after a poor Euro 2008 qualifying campaign.
Liam Brady is expected to be part of Trapattoni's backroom team.
Trapattoni is believed to have met a three-man FAI panel, which was set up to find a new manager, in Austria on Sunday.
FAI chief executive John Delaney confirmed on Monday that a board of management meeting would take place to approve an appointment.
He revealed that one name had been endorsed by the selection panel and that a media conference would be staged on Wednesday.
Trapattoni won six Serie A titles with Juventus and one with Inter Milan. He also led Bayern Munich, Benfica and Salzburg to league titles and managed Italy from 2000 to 2004.
A number of names had been linked to the Republic post, with former England coach Terry Venables reportedly keen to be Staunton's successor.
If Trappatoni is confirmed in his new post on Wednesday, it will bring to an end a long trawl for the new Republic boss following Staunton's sacking on 24 October last year.
Trapattoni agrees Republic deal
Giovanni Trapattoni is to become the next Republic of Ireland manager on a two-year contract, his current club Red Bull Salzburg have said.
The 68-year-old Italian, who succeeds Steve Staunton, will begin his duties after the completion of the Austrian League season in late April.
Trapattoni verbally agreed to take the job on Sunday evening.
Claudio Gentile is expected to be part of his backroom staff but it is not yet clear if Liam Brady will be involved.
Brady played under Trapattoni during a spell at Juventus in the early 1980s and is understood to have encouraged his former boss to take the Republic position.
But former Republic midfielder Brady is currently director of youth development at Arsenal and also has high-profile media commitments in Ireland, so there are doubts whether he will be part of Trapattoni's backroom team.
Gentile, who won 71 caps and was one of the roughest and toughest defenders to play for Italy, has worked with Trapattoni in the past and is being tipped to do so again.
Trapattoni's appointment ends a lengthy search, which followed Staunton's departure from the job in October.
FAI chief executive John Delaney confirmed on Monday that a board of management meeting would take place on Wednesday to approve an appointment.
He subsequently held further discussions with Trapattoni on Tuesday before the deal was formally agreed.
Trapattoni won six Serie A titles with Juventus and one with Inter Milan. He also led Bayern Munich, Benfica and Salzburg to league titles and managed Italy from 2000 to 2004.
His European honours include the European Cup, three UEFA Cups and a Cup Winners' Cup triumph during his time at Juventus and Inter.
The Republic's World Cup qualifying draw means that Trapattoni will have the task of plotting his own country's downfall.
Italy will be at home to the Republic on April Fool's Day in 2009 with the return game taking place at Croke Park six months later on 10 October.
A number of names were linked to the Republic post and former England coach Terry Venables was the long-time favourite before losing out to Trapattoni.
