We're still scratching our heads over this one. A stroke is a stroke. And since Trap is such a good Catholic and would never lie about such grave matters, we're left to assume someone had more mischievous intentions in leaking the story. So who was behind the fake stroke story? Our detectives have offered the following implausible theories:
2/1- Marco Tardelli Trap's lieutenant has long been seen as a natural successor to Trap, but with the growing unease in Ireland over Trap's tactics and conservative squad selection, he might have sensed the time was now to act. Having coached Ireland during the Argentina friendly while Trap was in the Mater, Tardelli would know firsthand about the public perception of Trap's frail health and a stroke story would create the need to bring forward a plan for Trap's sudden departure, should a more serious health situation come about. He would have sources in the Italian media, who originally reported the story.
5/1- The Welsh FA With the Carling Nations Series looming and a match on the Aviva on Feb. 8, would it be beyond the Welsh FA to create this story in order to create chaos within the Ireland camp? So bad have Wales been in the last four years that the Carling thing will be the only silverware Wales will arguably ever contend for again. Uncertainty in the Ireland camp would only help Gary Speed in his first match.
10/1- Roy Keane Keano's gonna be unemployed sooner or later and Ireland manager is about the only job he can get.
20/1- Steve Staunton Just for a bit of Wednesday afternoon amusement. Trap did rob his job after all.
100/1- Mario Balotelli Because he's a prick.
More likely, though far more boring, is a translation issue, as Mick O'Toole pointed out on Twitter: "the word used in Italian media was ictus. Can mean stroke, heart attack, seizure, fit or turn".
If you have any suspects, leave them in Comments section.
