Giovanni Trapattoni, the seven-times Serie A winner and former Italy coach, has been confirmed as the new manager of the Republic of Ireland. The appointment of the 68-year-old, whose contract at Austrian club Red Bull Salzburg was due to expire in May, ends a 113-day search for a successor to Steve Staunton.

Trapattoni, who is understood to have been given an initial two-year deal, will be charged with attempting to get Ireland to the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa.

But after calling a press conference for 5pm today, 68-year-old Trapattoni stole the FAI's thunder by confirming his new position from Salzburg this morning.

"Ireland are not a second-rate team, they are supposed to be a first-rate team," Trapattoni, who previously managed Italy from 2000 to 2004, said.

"Qualifying for the World Cup in 2010 will be hard, and playing against the Italian team will make me proud, but it should be possible for Ireland to come first

As current manager of Red Bull Salzburg, who are gunning for back-to-back Austrian League titles under the Italian, Trapattoni will not start work until May or possibly even June.

At this stage he is uncertain whether he will be in charge for the May 24 friendly against Serbia at Croke Park in Dublin, although it is hoped he will be there in some capacity.

Beyond that, qualifying matches for the World Cup finals in South Africa beckon, with Ireland in a group that also - somewhat poignantly for Trapattoni - includes Italy.

"This is the time in a year when football managers receive offers, and this is what has happened to me," Trapattoni added. "In the last two weeks I received offers from various clubs, and about 10 days ago representatives of the Football Association of Ireland approached me. I found their offer very interesting.

"I am very comfortable here in Salzburg. We won the Austrian title last year and we have a great chance to win the title again this year. Leaving the title as a farewell present to my Bulls is now my number one aim.

"But the opportunity to manage the Irish team will give me a lot more time to spend with my family. Yesterday my lawyers in Milan and representatives of the FAI came came to an agreement and I accepted their offer."

Details of his financial package were agreed at a meeting between the Italian and the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) delegation led by John Delaney, the chief executive, in Milan last night.

The former Juventus, AC Milan and Inter Milan coach, who has won league titles in four countries - Austria, Germany and Portugal as well as his native Italy - is expected to bring his backroom staff of Claudio Gentile and Fausto Rossi with him.

Liam Brady, who won two Serie A titles under Trapattoni at Juventus and is now in charge of Arsenal's youth development, is also expected to have a role.

Brady's understanding of the Irish sports mentality, the respect he commands in the Irish game, and being able to speak Italian are considered important given Trapattoni's limited English.

"I know Liam from our mutual time at Juventus," said Trapattoni said. "I called him and asked him for his thoughts on my commitment with the FAI, and when he said it was okay, I asked him for assistance if needed.

"I am positive that (Arsenal manager) Arsene Wenger, who is a friend of mine, will lend me Liam's services if I called him."

After a search led by Don Givens, the caretaker manager, which took in at least ten candidates including Gerard Houllier and Graeme Souness, Trapattoni emerged as a late challenger to Terry Venables, the former England and Australia coach.

Trapattoni has one of the finest CVs in world football having won every major European trophy, but his four-year reign as Italy coach was unsuccessful and he was often criticised for his defensive tactics.

Staunton, Ireland's most capped player, stepped down as manager in October after they failed to qualify for Euro 2008. The former Liverpool and Aston Villa defender had been appointed in January 2006 without any previous managerial experience.

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