Trapattoni plays down Spurs talk

Italy coach Trapattoni has a fine pedigree

Italy coach Giovanni Trapattoni has poured fresh scorn on reports saying he is set to take over at Tottenham.

It has been claimed the veteran boss will move to White Hart Lane after Euro 2004 - which has been denied by Spurs.

Now the 64-year-old has issued his own denial, saying: "There is no secrecy surrounding my future.

"Every year at around the same time there are always any sort of rumours but my desire is to stay with the federation in some form of role."

A Tottenham spokesman told BBC Sport on Thursday there was "no truth" in stories from an Italian newspaper suggesting a deal with Trapattoni was done.

"At this point in time, no contract has been signed with any potential new manager," added a statement on the club's official website.

Spurs are looking for a new manager following Glenn Hoddle's sacking in September.

David Pleat is in temporary charge, but in recent weeks chairman Daniel Levy has made clear his admiration of Trapattoni.

"Giovanni Trapattoni is one the greatest managers working today," Levy told the Daily Mirror earlier in the month.

It would make sense as he is planning to step down as boss of Italy following Euro 2004 From Staying Up Have your say on 606

"We are interested on hearing his point of view."

Speculation linking Trapattoni with the Spurs manager's job is increasing, with reports suggesting Mark Hughes could be the Italian's right-hand man.

Levy told the Daily Mirror newspaper he merely wanted to consult Trapattoni, the most successful coach in Italian football, on how best to take Spurs forward.

But reports have claimed the 64-year-old is ready to sign a pre-contract which would commit him to Tottenham after Euro 2004, when he will be in charge of the Azzuri.

Levy said: "Tottenham have to get back to being a key team in English football and the exchange of views with a manager of such great experience and pedigree as Trapattoni is precious.

"At the base of everything is the squad. We have invested substantially in the development of Tottenham and we don't intend to stop.

GIOVANNI TRAPATTONI FACTFILE Born: 17 March 1939 Playing career Long and distinguished career with AC Milan (1959-71) winning seven trophies 17 international caps Coaching career Joins Juventus in 1976 winning numerous titles in 10-year stay Moves to Inter Milan in 1986 where he has similar success Spells at Bayern Munich, Cagliari, Fiorentina and Juventus before taking over the national team in 2000

"The long-term goal of the project is to get Tottenham into Europe and we will pursue this until it happens."

Trapattoni's track record includes seven Serie A titles, one European Cup, three Uefa Cups, the European Cup Winners' Cup, the European Super Cup and the World Club Cup.

He has mainly coached in Italy but also had a spell with Bayern Munich in the 1990s, when he won the Bundesliga title.

His agent Claudio Vigorelli fuelled rumours by holding recent talks with Italian football's ruling body FIGC, when he said: "I think there is a possibility to do this transfer. We are working with Spurs on this."

One report suggested Trapattoni would take over at Tottenham for around two seasons, at the same time grooming Welsh chief Hughes to be the eventual boss.

Hughes and Trappatoni do not know each other - although their teams met in Euro 2004 qualifying.

But it is said the Wales boss could be available if Spurs pay compensation to his current employers.