O’NEILL TIPPED TO REPLACE TRAPATTONI
FORMER Celtic manager Martin O’Neill has emerged as favourite to replace Republic of Ireland’s embattled coach Giovanni Trapattoni. The 74-year-old, who took a pay cut to earn £1milliona-year after their dreadful Euro 2012 finals campaign, is clinging on to power with Irish World Cup dreams in tatters after their costly defeat at home to group rivals Sweden on Friday night. The former Italy and AC Milan coach is refusing to walk out on his contract, which is due to end next June, even though he admits they are now playing for third place in their qualifying group. The Irish face Austria in Vienna tomorrow night and could still technically qualify ahead of their opponents, and the Swedes, as runners-up to group leaders Germany. But with a trip to Munich next month, where Trapattoni will be eager to take the Irish team after also coaching there previously with Bayern, the Republic’s chances of reaching the November play-offs now seem remote. O’Neill, who has been out of work since he was sacked by Sunderland in March, is understood to be the FAI’s preferred choice to eventually replace Trapattoni when he does go. Former internationals Roy Keane and Chris Hughton, and ex-manager and captain Mick McCarthy are also in the frame. Former international Niall Quinn, however, has warned that simply replacing Trapattoni is not the only answer to the malaise which has struck the Republic of Ireland, who have failed to qualify for the World Cup Finals since McCarthy took them to Japan and South Korea in 2002. He called on the FAI to assist the new manager with the formation of a youth academy which will help develop talented players before they join clubs in England. Quinn, who appointed O’Neill as Sunderland boss when he was chairman at the Stadium of Light, said: ‘Money has to go into an elite academy. There needs to be a six-year programme put in place to get Ireland back up to the levels of 20 years ago, to when we could and did compete. ‘If anybody thinks our problems will be solved simply by the appointment of a new man, then they need their heads examined.’ Asked if he might step down tomorrow night if qualification is gone to allow a successor time to prepare for the start of 2016 European Championships, Trapattoni shrugged: ‘If a new manager is available — that’s a problem for the FAI. I am happy to finish my job and continue for six months.’