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Trapattoni told a news conference he has agreed to terms of a deal from June onwards until 2010, highlighted by two meetings with his Italian countrymen in World Cup qualifying.

 This is a big new challenge for me," Trapattoni was quoted as saying by Austrian news agency APA.

 The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) made the formal announcement later in Dublin after officials ratified the nomination of the selection committee of Don Givens, Don Howe and Ray Houghton.

 FAI chief executive John Delaney confirmed that the 68-year-old Italian would take up his post on May 1 on a two-year deal with an option for a further two years.

 Delaney also revealed that the association was able to afford a top coach like Trapattoni thanks to a donation from major Irish businessman Denis O'Brien.

 "He's agreed to pay half the costs of the manager and the assistant coach," said Delaney. "He's prepared to help the association."

   Delaney added that there were no strings attached to the offer and O'Brien, one of Ireland's richest men, had no influence on the choice of coach.

 Trapattoni was not present in Ireland due to his commitment with his current club Red Bull Salzburg, where he aims to say farewell after two years with a league title defence. He insisted on Wednesday that he will not let down in his title quest, with the league restarting on Friday.

 "Leaving the title as a farewell present to my Bulls is now my number one aim," he said.

 Trapattoni takes the place of Steve Staunton, whose reign ended last October after an unsuccessful Euro 2008 qualifying campaign.

 FAI boss John Delaney finalized the deal with Trapattoni on Tuesday. Other candidates for the job had reportedly included former England manager Terry Venables.

 Trapattoni has enjoyed vast success as a club coach, leading Juventus Turin to six Serie A crowns and also winning titles with Inter Milan, Bayern Munich, Benfica Lisbon and Salzburg. He also won all three European trophies with Juve.

 He was also Italy coach 2000-2004.

 Ireland played poorly in the Euro 2008 qualifying campaign, highlighted by a 5-2 defeat in Cyprus. The Euro-finals are the third straight big event without Ireland, who last appeared on the big stage at the 2002 World Cup.

 Trapattoni's main goal will be guiding Ireland to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, where he will face world champions Italy in qualifying group 8. The other teams are Bulgaria, Cyprus again, Georgia and Montenegro.

 "The qualifying round will be tough, but we stand a good chance," said Trapattoni.

 "Ireland are not a second-rate team, they are supposed to be a first-rate team."

   The nine group winners qualify directly for the World Cup, and the eight best number two teams determine four further qualifiers in two- legged playoff ties. dpa jb gb Football-Ireland/ 2ND ROUNDUP: Trapattoni confirmed as new Ireland manager Eds: Adds further details, corrects spelling of Denis in graf 6

 Dublin (dpa) - Giovanni Trapattoni was confirmed Wednesday as the new Ireland manager on a two-year contract.

 Trapattoni told a news conference he has agreed to terms of a deal from June onwards until 2010, highlighted by two meetings with his Italian countrymen in World Cup qualifying.

 This is a big new challenge for me," Trapattoni was quoted as saying by Austrian news agency APA.

 The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) made the formal announcement later in Dublin after officials ratified the nomination of the selection committee of Don Givens, Don Howe and Ray Houghton.

 FAI chief executive John Delaney confirmed that the 68-year-old Italian would take up his post on May 1 on a two-year deal with an option for a further two years.

 Delaney also revealed that the association was able to afford a top coach like Trapattoni thanks to a donation from major Irish businessman Denis O'Brien.

 "He's agreed to pay half the costs of the manager and the assistant coach," said Delaney. "He's prepared to help the association."

   Delaney added that there were no strings attached to the offer and O'Brien, one of Ireland's richest men, had no influence on the choice of coach.

 Trapattoni was not present in Ireland due to his commitment with his current club Red Bull Salzburg, where he aims to say farewell after two years with a league title defence. He insisted on Wednesday that he will not let down in his title quest, with the league restarting on Friday.

 "Leaving the title as a farewell present to my Bulls is now my number one aim," he said.

 Trapattoni takes the place of Steve Staunton, whose reign ended last October after an unsuccessful Euro 2008 qualifying campaign.

 FAI boss John Delaney finalized the deal with Trapattoni on Tuesday. Other candidates for the job had reportedly included former England manager Terry Venables.

 Trapattoni has enjoyed vast success as a club coach, leading Juventus Turin to six Serie A crowns and also winning titles with Inter Milan, Bayern Munich, Benfica Lisbon and Salzburg. He also won all three European trophies with Juve.

 He was also Italy coach 2000-2004.

 Ireland played poorly in the Euro 2008 qualifying campaign, highlighted by a 5-2 defeat in Cyprus. The Euro-finals are the third straight big event without Ireland, who last appeared on the big stage at the 2002 World Cup.

 Trapattoni's main goal will be guiding Ireland to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, where he will face world champions Italy in qualifying group 8. The other teams are Bulgaria, Cyprus again, Georgia and Montenegro.

 "The qualifying round will be tough, but we stand a good chance," said Trapattoni.

 The nine group winners qualify directly for the World Cup, and the eight best number two teams determine four further qualifiers in two- legged playoff ties.