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Amazing What Winning A World Cup Will Do |
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Written by Alessandro Nicolo
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Tuesday, 12 February 2008 |
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Italians are all the rage now. When the Germans were winning cups, off
German coaches went traveling 'round the world. Then, the Brazilians
were in demand. They were followed by the French - who also happen to
offer coaching talent to former colonies.
Italy is no stranger to exporting its talent. Throughout history, they've done pretty well. World soccer is no different. Italian coaches have always been held in high regard when it comes to being masters of strategy and tactics. From Vittorio Pozzo to Arrigo Sacchi to Marcello Lippi, Italian coaches and managers have earned their stripes.
Generally speaking, Italians much prefer to stay put - as in Italy. The globe-trotting legacy of Marco Polo and Amerigo Vespucci had its limits on the mindset of contemporary Italians.
Well, that may be changing now as Italians have some unfinished business in the British Isles. Fabio Capello is nailing down the finishing touches on his stoic meritocracy in England and now Giovanni Trappatoni has been summoned by Ireland. Make that the Republic of Ireland.
If Capello represented a personality clash with the English, Trappatoni's hiring offers one in which perhaps the possibility of a cultural clash is minimal. Maybe. I'm just musing here applying my sense of history to push forward this post.
Culturally speaking, the Italian-Irish connection is an intriguing one. It's a natural fit in many ways. Both tend to be non-deferential people, both share a somewhat brilliant but tragic history and well, they are Catholic -in a secular way of course. The Italian-Irish connection is a strong one in North America particularly in major places like New York City where inter-marriages between the two groups is high.
Forget all that. This is sports. Giovanni Trappatoni is truly one of the great coaches of our times - maybe of all time. Like Capello, he is a champion. Although his stint with the Italian national team ended in controversial disaster at the World Cup in 2002 and Euro 2004.
While Trappatoni has been criticized for his over reliance on defensive tactics, he has won titles with some of the most storied franchises in world soccer: Juventus, Inter Milan, Bayern Munich and Benfica. In total he's won nine league titles in three leagues, as well as a Champions League title, a Cup Winners' Cup, a Super Cup and three UEFA Cups.
"Trap" will take over Ireland once his contract with Red Bull Salzburg - currently in a three way tie at the top of the table - of the Austrian T-Mobile Bundesliga runs out.
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