LONDON (The Guardian) -- Giovanni Trapattoni has announced he will become the Republic of Ireland's new manager in May. The Football Association of Ireland has called a press conference for 5pm at which it will confirm the 68-year-old as Steve Staunton's successor.

Having been approached by the FAI 10 days ago, the former Italy coach agreed yesterday to assume control of the team when his contract with Red Bull Salzburg expires at the end of the Austrian season, settling on a deal worth around £1.4m a year until the 2010 World Cup.
“This is the time in a year when football managers receive offers, and this is what has happened to me,” Trapattoni said. “In the last two weeks I received offers from various clubs, and about 10 days ago representatives of the Football Association of Ireland approached me. I found their offer very interesting.
“I am very comfortable here in Salzburg. We won the Austrian title last year and we have a great chance to win the title again this year again. But the opportunity to manage the Irish team would give me a lot more time to spend with my family. Yesterday my lawyers in Milan and representatives of the FAI came come to an agreement and I accepted their offer.”
His first match in charge could be a friendly against Serbia at Croke Park on May 24, but his ultimate goal is to secure World Cup qualification from a group including his native Italy, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Georgia and Montenegro. “Ireland are not a second-rate team, they are supposed to be a first-rate team. Qualifying for the World Cup in 2010 will be hard, and playing against the Italian team will make me proud, but it should be possible for Ireland to come first.”
Trapattoni will be recommended by the three-man selection panel -- Don Givens, Ray Houghton and Don Howe -- at a meeting this afternoon with the FAI board, but the approval of his appointment is considered a formality. After sacking Staunton, who had no prior experience of management, in October following the failure to qualify for Euro 2008, the FAI has now turned to one of the world's most experienced coaches, Trapattoni having won 10 league titles in five countries, a European Cup, two Uefa Cups and a Cup Winners' Cup.
It is anticipated Trapattoni will appoint former Italy defender Claudio Gentile as his assistant, and take fitness coach Fausto Rossi with him from Salzburg. Trapattoni also insisted today there is a role for Liam Brady in the new Irish set-up if he so desires, and is comfortable with the former Ireland midfielder combining the post with his current youth-team manager duties at Arsenal.
“I know Liam from our mutual time at Juventus,” he said. “I called him and asked him for his thoughts on my commitment with the FAI, and when he said it was okay, I asked him for assistance if needed. I am positive that Arsène Wenger, who is a friend of mine, will lend me Liam's services if I called him.”