Trapattoni relishes qualifying bid with Ireland

By Jonathan Saul

DUBLIN (Reuters) - New Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni said on Thursday he was relishing the challenge of trying to qualify his team for the 2010 World Cup finals.

On his first official day in the job, the former Italy and Juventus coach, who was chosen as Steve Staunton's successor in February, said the position was "the right job at the right time."

"I am looking forward to the challenge of qualifying for the 2010 World Cup," he told reporters. "It will be difficult, but we have a very good team."

The 69-year-old had to see out his contract with Austrian side Salzburg before beginning a two-year deal and faces a tough task in a qualifying group that includes Italy and Bulgaria.

"If I did not have trust in the challenge, I would not be here," he said. "After one success I look for another."

Trapattoni, whose first game in charge will be a friendly against Serbia in Dublin on May 24, also said he would try to convince players who had retired from international football but were still playing at a high level to rethink their decision.

"They have to decide over the next few weeks if they want to be involved. If they don't, then they will not come."

Ireland failed to qualify for June's European championship in Austria and Switzerland and last appeared at a major finals at the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea.

(Editing by Padraic Halpin)