GIOVANNI TRAPATTONI’S WINNING STREAK continued this afternoon when he was named Phillips Sports Manager of the Year for 2011.
The award comes at the end of an excellent year which saw Trapattoni’s Republic of Ireland go 13 competitive games without defeat, culminating in qualification for next summer’s European Championships, the country’s first major tournament in 10 years.
The Italian becomes the first foreign winner in the prize’s 30-year history, awarded annually to recognise outstanding achievement by an Irish or Irish-based coach.
Trapattoni was selected over the 11 other monthly winners from 2011, a list which included Dublin manager Pat Gilroy, Kilkenny’s Brian Cody, Leinster manager Joe Schmidt, Shamrock Rovers boss Michael O’Neill and Irish cricket coach Phil Simmons.
Ireland’s goalkeeping coach Alan Kelly collected the award on behalf of Trapattoni, who was not present at this afternoon’s presentation in the Shelbourne Hotel in Dublin.
Well done trap! Euro 2012 here we come!
13 competitive games without defeat. Impressive for Rep. of Ireland. Is it a record? Well done El Trap you deserve it!
Trapp, I believe congratulations are in order……
Viva la Trap!
Bad call, should have been Gilroy. His team won something, Trap’s qualified for something. Totally transformed his team tactically n psychologically in two yrs. Two yrs ago bten by 17 pts by Kerry, this summer bt them by pt with a team containing no players with All Ireland final experience and held the Kingdom to the lowest amount.of scores they hit in a final since 1980 victory over Roscommon. Went.with easy option not right.option
Pat Gilroy can get it next year when he succeeds in achieving back to back championship wins (only joking, no pressure, one match at a time). Trap was the obvious choice for those whose analysis is largely superficial: Qualification=mission accomplished.
see stupid comment from a dub nothing new is it ?
I thought this was some International award judging by the headline, then I read he was up against inter alia Pat O’Hara Manager of Aran Islands XI
Can anybody still bear to watch an Ireland match under this man.
Yes I can. And the beauty of living in a democracy is that you can choose not to watch it if you don’t fancy it. Im looking forward to the Euros next year – a great achievement by a great group of irish lads being led by a world class manager. Here we go, here we go…..
Don’t get me wrong looking forward to the finals. But don’t try to tell me its good to watch.
If the team hadn’t qualified would he have gotten it? Probably not. The buck from the aran islands must be ripping!
Sure it’s the season of makey-up awards anyway and kudos to the man for what he’s done. He’s lifted the nation.