Trapattoni - veteran coach wants to stay on (Allsport)

By By PA International Staff

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Italy coach Giovanni Trapattoni has reaffirmed his commitment to lead the Azzurri back from the wilderness of World Cup failure.

Trapattoni's men were sent packing from the Far East tournament by co-hosts Korea yesterday in golden goal extra time.

But the Italians seethed over controversial refereeing decisions, and there was widespread speculation that Trapattoni would fall on his sword.

Today Trapattoni left no doubt, though, that finding a new job was out of the question.

He had only been contracted to the FIGC, Italian football's governing body, for the duration of the World Cup but was informed before the competition began that they wanted him to stay on.

Trapattoni has yet to sign any new deal but his comments after yesterday's game suggest that is only a formality.

``I don't want to leave,'' he told Gazzetta dello Sport.

``I'm full of enthusiasm for the next European tournament.

``I have a contract which was discussed some time prior to the start of the World Cup. My future starts with a friendly against Slovenia.''

So Trapattoni will be in charge, that much Azzurri fans understand.

What many are trying to comprehend today, though, is how they could have made such an early exit at the hands of a fledgling footballing power like Korea.

Trapattoni and his players strongly criticised the standard of refereeing in the tournament, particularly in their 2-1 defeat yesterday.

One offside call in particular proved costly.

In the second half, television replays showed that Damiano Tommasi might have been onside when he started his run and received a pass from Christian Vieri.

The flag went up and Tommasi, who would have scored easily, kicked the ball into the net in frustration before protesting.

Francesco Totti was then sent off in the first half of extra time after picking up a second yellow card.

Ecuadorian referee Bryan Moreno thought Totti had taken a dive in the box when there was contact with a Korea defender.

The Italians demanded a penalty and were outraged by the decision.

Video replay suggested that play should have gone on with no card being shown.

What the Azzurri faithful might want to remember, however, is Italy's bewildering tactics after taking the lead through Vieri's first-half goal.

They attempted to soak up the pressure instead of pressing for a second goal that could have all but clinched the match.

As it was, an entire nation of Asian supporters would have been in tears instead of Italy had Vieri been able to score immediately after Korea's second-half equaliser.

Tommasi crossed from the left and Vieri, using his weaker right foot, skied the ball into the crowd.