Lilies taking huge punt on Italian boss
WHEN the FAI unveiled Govanni Trapattoni as Republic of Ireland manager in February 2008, it was greeted with general acclaim and optimism among fans.
Can the same be said of Filippo Giovagnoli, whose appointment as the new Dundalk manager is expected today?
The 49-year-old Italian is known to Dundalk’s New York owners through his role as director of coaching at the Met Oval Academy in Queens, New York.
Previously, he coached AC Milan’s junior camps.
As a player, Giovagnoli was a defender who spent 18 seasons in the lower pro ranks in Italy.
He has never managed a senior club before and his CV doesn’t shine compared to Trap’s. His imminent arrival, along with fellow Italian and Met Oval coach Guiseppe Rossi, appears a risk by the Dundalk hierarchy.
Securing European football is an absolute must for Dundalk who are without a win in four SSE Airtricity League games, and are reeling after a 3-0 Champions League loss to Celje which cost Vinny Perth his job.
While Ireland legend Robbie Keane was a target for the Louth club, they have turned instead to Giovagnoli, a coach with no knowledge of the Irish football scene.
It might have been safer to go with a proven Irish figure for the second half of the season and then reassess.
As it is, there is also uncertainty if Giovagnoli has the UEFA Pro Licence qualifications needed for the League of Ireland.
Meanwhile, the FAI board of directors is proposing the casting vote on the board reverts from the chairman, Roy Barrett, to the president, Gerry McAnaney.
If passed, in the event of a 6-6 deadlock among directors, the football side of the house would have the final say.
The proposal is part of the agenda for the EGM on Monday next when delegates are set to approve reforms crucial to the restoration of State funding.
The reforms are included in the Memorandum of Understanding signed off as part of the FAI’s bailout in January with the Government, Bank of Ireland and UEFA.
If delegates agree to the rule changes, it will free up €37m for the Association’s empty coffers.
It’s understood Bank of Ireland have told the FAI they won’t provide a facility to draw down funds after September 15 if the reforms are not agreed.
In addition, the alteration to the rules will see the current 8-4 arrangement on the board between football directors and independent directors, become 6-6.
Under the changes, all FAI Council
members with more than 10 years service are due to stand down in March but that may be revisited.
The EGM will take place remotely in light of the current Government restrictions.
Ireland Under 21 manager Jim Crawford is set to announce his squad tomorrow for a training camp in Northern Ireland next week as preparation for the Euro qualifiers in October and November against Italy, Iceland and Luxembourg.
He has no knowledge of the Irish football scene