Ireland poised to appoint Trapattoni
Ireland hope to announce Giovanni Trapattoni as the successor to Steve Staunton as manager in Dublin tomorrow. Trapattoni, the former Italy coach, is expected to sign a contract worth £1.2 million a year. He will remain coach of Red Bull Salzburg for the remainder of the Austrian league season, which ends in April.
After a four-month search, John Delaney, chief executive of the Football Association of Ireland, flew to Salzburg last night to conclude the deal. “It’s about getting the right person,” Delaney said. “There’s no point in being quick just for the sake of it.” Liam Brady, the former Ireland midfield player, is likely to be Trapattoni’s assistant.
Huth beats tragedy
Gareth Southgate has praised Robert Huth after the Germany defender recovered from personal tragedy to spearhead Middlesbrough’s bid to avoid relegation. Huth has endured a miserable spell on Teesside after his £6 million transfer from Chelsea in 2006, with a string of injuries limiting him to 15 league starts.
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“He’s had a really difficult time, both in terms of his injury and also because he lost his father last year as well,” Southgate, the Middlesbrough manager, said, “but he’s a very strong lad and the way he’s dealt with that has been fantastic. There is a lot more to come from him.”
Holloway’s warning
Ian Holloway, the Leicester City manager, has told his squad to “sort themselves out”. Holloway, who brought in seven players last month, was disappointed at his team’s “lack of leadership” as they slipped to within three points of the Coca-Cola Championship relegation zone with Saturday’s defeat by Plymouth Argyle. “I’ve told them that and I can still get some new players,” he said. “Maybe that’s what I’ll have to do.”
Brighton loan striker
Dean Bowditch, the Ipswich Town forward, has rejoined Brighton & Hove Albion, the Coca-Cola League One club, on a month-long loan deal. The 21-year-old had a successful spell on the South Coast in 2006. “We are delighted to have Dean back,” Dean Wilkins, the manager, said. “He made a great impression during his first spell with us last season and we were disappointed when an injury forced him to return to Ipswich.”
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Leeds want decision
Leeds United have urged the High Court to judge on their appeal against their 15-point deduction in Coca-Cola League One before the end of the season. The club served a writ on the Football League last week in a bid to get their points penalty for breaking administration rules overturned. Shaun Harvey, the Leeds chief executive, said: “The end of the season is May 3 and we’ve urged that the decision is made public before then.”