Ireland have appointed Italian Giovanni Trapattoni, one of Europe's most successful coaches, as national manager.

The appointment ends months of searching since Steve Staunton was sacked after he failed to get the team into Euro 2008.

Former Italian national coach Trapattoni, 68, confirmed earlier yesterday that he would leave his current Austrian club Salzburg at the end of the season to become manager of Ireland's national side.

"We had certain criteria... Trapattoni ticked (them) all," said Irish caretaker coach Don Givens, who led the selection committee.

"I don't think there is any doubt, with this manager we'll be more difficult to beat."

Trapattoni agreed a two-year contract with Ireland starting on May 1 after Irish telecoms billionaire Denis O'Brien made an unspecified donation to the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) to make the salary more attractive.

Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern, a big soccer fan and ardent supporter of Manchester United, said Trapattoni's track record spoke for itself.

"It's a wonderful appointment, there's no doubt about it," Ahern told national radio.

"Those supporters that have been saying for years we needed a big name with a big playing career and a big management career, now they've got their man."

Trapattoni told a media conference in Salzburg that he had first been approached by the FAI "about ten days ago" and confirmed that he was hoping to enlist former Ireland midfielder Liam Brady as his assistant.

Brady, who was himself seen as a possible candidate for the Ireland post following the sacking of Staunton in October, is currently head of youth development at English Premier League side Arsenal.

"But if I ask (Arsenal coach) Arsene Wenger, then he will let him go," Trapattoni said.

Trapattoni, who was born on Ireland's national St Patrick's Day holiday, can look forward to an imminent reunion with the Italian national team who have been drawn against the Irish in the qualifying competition for the 2010 World Cup.