Trap might fancy a final fling with Spurs

Giovanni Trapattoni has never made any secret of his desire to taste life in the Premiership before he finally brings down the curtain on one of the most distinguished management careers in European football.

The suave Italian, now top of Tottenham's wanted list, is 65 but, two years ago, made it known that he would consider succeeding Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United.

At the time the United manager was thinking of retirement. He famously changed his mind, but not before Trapattoni declared: "I'd love to work in the Premier League."

He may now be given another chance if Daniel Levy can persuade one of Italy's most revered old age pensioners to defer his retirement and commit himself to Tottenham.

The White Hart Lane chairman, determined to secure the right man to succeed Glenn Hoddle, is certainly aiming at the elite of European management.

The manager of Italy is in the Ferguson class, winning 20 major honours with Juventus (twice), Bayern Munich, Inter, AC Milan and Fiorentina.

Today Trapattoni, who enjoyed a glorious playing career with AC Milan, is a national institution in Italy. That makes me think that it is most unlikely that he would walk out of his job before the Euro 2004 finals in Portugal next summer.

Italy would be outraged if he quit to join Spurs. This, of course, wouldn't necessarily stop Tottenham trying to secure his services next season. It is a bold and imaginative move by them, but there are flaws. Most importantly, Trapattoni's English is almost nonexistent. His age is against him and the fact that he has little knowledge of the Premiership means that he would have to spend time adapting.

He also has a reputation as a defensive coach. Would the Tottenham public put up with that?

But you can't dispute that he's a winner. He won six Serie A titles during his first 10 years with Juventus and was coach when they beat Liverpool 1-0 in the illfated 1985 European Cup Final. Add to that three UEFA Cups, the Cup-Winners Cup and sundry other titles and you have the sort of manager who might look down his nose at a struggling club like Spurs.

On the other hand, a last throw of the dice in unfamiliar surroundings might just appeal to him.