London: Former Italy coach Giovanni Trapattoni has confirmed that he is all set to take the helm of Ireland's national football team at the end of the season.

The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) is yet to name former coach Steve Staunton's successor, after he was fired in November following the team's failure to qualify for the European Championship.

The 68-year-old Trapattoni will sign a two-year contract.

Trapattoni's appointment means that he will be up against his native Italy during the qualifying stages of the 2010 World Cup as Ireland plays a Group VIII away tie Apr 1 next year.

Trapattoni has been with Austrian club Salzburg since May 2006, four months after he was fired by Germany's Stuttgart midway through a lacklustre first season.

The Italian's coaching achievements include six Serie A titles with Juventus and one with Inter Milan, the Bundesliga title with Bayern Munich, the Portuguese league title with Benfica and the Austrian league triumph with Salzburg.

He has also won three UEFA Cups, the Cup Winners Cup, the European Super Cup and the European Cup with Juventus.

Source : IANS