As a result of his missionary sojourn to Ireland - to spread the bad news that we are incredibly limited at football and, as a result, should submit to his obsolete tactics - Giovanni Trapattoni is Italian football's go to man for comment on the Irish team.
Trapattoni was interviewed by Romeo Agresti for Goal.com this morning, and feels that Ireland can "have a good run" at Euro 2016. Trap has refused to relinquish his opinion of Irish football, saying that:
With compactness and good tactics, they can think of doing well.
It's clear that from a technical point of view, there are stronger squads and therefore Ireland will have to fight a lot to try to do well.
While Trap is sticking by his opinion of Irish football, he has changed his tune in relation to Roy Keane. During Euro 2012, Keane was scathing in his criticism of the Irish team after the galling 4-0 humiliation to Spain, saying that it was a "reality check" for Irish players who wrongly believe they are "top players".
Trapattoni shot back at Keane, saying that he should retain focus on being a coach (Keane had been recently sacked by Ipswich) and that "it is not my habit to be critical of other colleagues as coaches or managers, but what has he done after he finished playing?".
Now, however, the Italian has a more favourable opinion of Keane, despite his basis for such a view being questionable:
Keane is doing well. He has experience and ideas.
He's putting the things that he learned as a player into practice as a coach.
He's had a beautiful human and professional experience in Ireland, having the opportunity to work with cutting-edge facilities and the chance to enjoy a great relationship with the people; who are always passionate about the national team and above all else, always respectful towards the work of the coaches.
We are not entirely sure Keane always experienced "cutting-edge facilities" during his time with Ireland, but nonetheless, it is good to see Trapattoni is capable of changing one of his views of Irish football.
