IRELAND HAVE HALTED their slide down the FIFA rankings – albeit without playing.
Giovanni Trapattoni’s side began 2012 in 22nd position but, after three defeats at Euro 2012 was followed by the 6-1 annihilation by Germany in Dublin, by December had fallen to 42nd – their lowest end-of-year ranking since 2006.
However, despite the fact that they have featured since a 1-0 loss to Greece in November, the Boys in Green have moved up one place and now sit just behind Haiti, African champions Zambia, Turkey and Bolivia.
Credit: Fifa.com
It is all unchanged at the top of the table with Spain officially the world’s best team and Germany, Argentina, Italy and Columbia making up the top five. England, meanwhile, are in sixth place, Scotland and Wales move up to 69th and 81st respectively, while Northern Ireland are down in 98th spot.
On Monday, Trapattoni will name his squad for the upcoming friendly international with Poland on February 6. Ireland then face Sweden and Austria in crucial qualifiers the following month.
Well deserved. Without a doubt the best rugby coach in the World. Hope we can hang onto him after we win the World Cup.
6 nations title, two Southern Hemisphere “scalps” and a 6 place jump in the world rankings. Utterly deserving of this accolade.
Joe is a legend.
Well deserved brillant coach.
Richly deserved. I wonder how many votes he beat Roddy Collins by.
i wonder does joe know anything about running a country??
Joe is the man!!!!!
I hope if we don’t win the World Cup New Zealand will. If NZ get rid of their manager there is only one man they will want.
There’s no show like a Joe show.
Jim Gavin surely a typo!!!! Masterminded a Leinster championship!!
Jim gavin lost 1 game in 2 yrs…thats why
Eamon fitz lost 1 game in 2 years aswel so if thats the case
I think Brian Cody deserves to be mentioned above Jim Gavin. He couldn’t have won anymore this year but Joe definitely deserves it after the year he and his Irish team had with hopefully more success to come next year.
Jim Gavin, surely a typo
Jim Gavin?!! Surely a typo
As did e Fitz!
Gavin being nominated for Manager of this year? 2014? He won a provincial championship in a province without another Top level team, and didn’t win the all Ireland as “pre-appointed” champions before a ball was kicked. Eamonn Fitz surely miles ahead
Gavin won the April prize after the Dubs won the National League title. Paul McGinley won the September award for the Ryder Cup which is why Eamonn Fitzmaurice wasn’t on the list.
Renew his contract now IRFU!