Italian soccer legend Giovanni Trapattoni has become the new new Republic of Ireland boss.  Trapattoni was not present at hispress conference in Dublin as a result of present club commitments with Red Bull Salzburg.  Betway.com have some excellent football betting odds.

And the Football Association of Ireland took the unusual step of revealing that some of the Italian's salary will be funded by businessman Denis O'Brien. O´Brien is one of the richest men in Ireland. Said FIA president David Blood: "We have appointed Giovanni Trapattoni as manager of the Republic of Ireland senior international team."

Trapattoni´s first day in charge will be May 1 once the Austrian league season concludes. The FAI board are delighted to have landed the 68-year-old. Trappattoni has landed 20 major trophies managing clubs in Italy, Germany, Portugal and Austria.

The pensioner´s first Ireland game will be a friendly against Serbia on May 24 at Croke Park in north Dublin.

The big talking point was the news of financial assistance from billionaire O'Brien. It is not known if O´Brien had a say in Trappatoni´s appointment.

John Delaney, who heads the FAI said O'Brien's money helped secure a higher-profile manager.

"The senior international team has not achieved in the past five years and Trappattoni is widely acknowledged as one of the most outstanding and successful coaches in the game."