Ireland name Tardelli as assistant coach to Trapattoni

Ireland named former Inter Milan coach Marco Tardelli as assistant manager yesterday, a day after announcing the appointment of fellow Italian Giovanni Trapattoni as national coach.

"We are delighted that such an experienced coach as Marco Tardelli has agreed to join Giovanni Trapattoni's backroom team," FA of Ireland (FAI) president David Blood said.

Tardelli had met with FAI representatives, including chief executive John Delaney, in Milan on Tuesday to agree a two-year contract, a spokesman for the association said.

Having played under Trapattoni at Juventus in the 1970s and 80s, Tardelli said earlier he was looking forward to being reunited with one of Europe's most successful coaches.

"I'm stimulated by the idea of having to face Italy (in the 2010 World Cup qualifiers)," he said. "I like the idea of being for Trapattoni what (Carlos) Queiroz is for Alex Ferguson at Manchester United."

Ireland have been drawn with world champions Italy, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Georgia and Montenegro in qualifying Group Eight for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.