Trapattoni set for Republic post

Trapattoni is tipped to be the new Republic of Ireland boss

Giovanni Trapattoni is expected to be named the new Republic of Ireland manager after a Football Association of Ireland board meeting on Wednesday.

The former Italy coach, 68, is poised to take over in May, once his contract at Red Bull Salzburg expires.

The Republic have been without a permanent boss since Steve Staunton was sacked in October after a poor Euro 2008 qualifying campaign.

Ex-Arsenal winger Liam Brady is tipped to be part of Trapattoni's staff.

Trapattoni is believed to have met a three-man FAI panel, which was set up to find a new manager, in Austria on Sunday.

606: DEBATE Traps is a bit of a 'Catenaccio-style' manager - old school Italian defend a one-nil lead with 10 men behind the ball with a sweeper Big_Norm82

FAI chief executive John Delaney confirmed on Monday that a board of management meeting would take place to approve an appointment.

He revealed that one name had been endorsed by the selection panel and that a media conference would be staged on Wednesday.

Trapattoni won six Serie A titles with Juventus and one with Inter Milan. He also led Bayern Munich, Benfica and Salzburg to league titles and managed Italy from 2000 to 2004.

A number of names had been linked to the Republic post, with former England coach Terry Venables reportedly keen to be Staunton's successor.

If Trappatoni is confirmed in his new post on Wednesday, it will bring to an end a long trawl for the new Republic boss following Staunton's sacking on 24 October last year.