Nuno Gomes backs Trappa

NUNO GOMES has backed Giovanni Trapattoni to lead Ireland to the 2010 World Cup Finals, and dismissed concerns about his perceived negative style of play.

The Portuguese striker, who won a league title under the Italian with Benfica in the 2004-05 campaign, is a firm fan of the 69-year-old's abilities and believes he can bring success to Irish football.

"He is a man of football and will help the Irish team," said Gomes. "It will be a difficult job as Ireland are in the same group as Italy and Bulgaria but I think they will succeed.

"With his experience, he can make a good team and transmit his experience to the players so they can reach the World Cup.

"He's an Italian coach but we won the league here in Portugal with him. A lot of people accused us of being a defensive team but at the end of the league we were first. That's what matters, if you can reach your goals it is important. I think for him, the most important thing is don't lose but he always tries to win."

And while Trapattoni's tenure at Red Bull Salzburg did not end gloriously, after failing to win the league this term and also missing out on the goal of Champions League group qualification, his legacy at Benfica is secure.

"We are passing through a lot of troubles at Benfica, and we won our last league title with him so the supporters miss him," stresses Gomes. "But that's football and that's life. We enjoyed it with him here and we always talk about him because he's an historic football person.

"He can teach you something about football everyday and the Irish players will enjoy working with him because he's a nice person and will talk to you at any moment."

Trapattoni officially starts his duties on Thursday May 1, when he is unveiled to the media. His first get-together with his players will be a return to Portugal for a training camp ahead of the friendlies with Serbia and Colombia back in this part of the world.