Time for change: Ireland coach Giovanni Trapattoni is much respected by his Italian counterpart

'I was only 20 years old at the time and I grew up playing under him, and he always respected everyone.

'We had a team of great players, but even those of us who didn't play very much, he still thought we were very important, all the players in the squad.

'We have always discussed his strength, and he has great strength. He's got the desire to never give up, to always keep moving with the times, to always be competitive - and he still is very competitive.

'He is a fantastic person.'

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