Trap at 80, best wishes from all at Inter

MILAN- He would put his fingers in his mouth and whistle so that all the players could hear it over the rumble of the stadium. Giovanni Trapattoni, il ‘Trap’ was always direct like that. His youth spent in the outskirts of Milan and love of the game made him that way. "I love the green of the pitch and the ball too much. I became a coach because I couldn’t see myself anywhere else."

In 1987 he became the Inter Coach. Giovanni from Cusano Milanino knew that Ernesto Pellegrini wanted to see one thing, the Scudetto patch on the Nerazzurri shirts once again. ‘Trap’ got to work, with his typical pragmatism, ability and passion. The 1988-89 season was a record-breaking one. The Inter of Brehme, Matthäus, Bergomi, Berti, Serena and Diaz. 58 points from 68 were won, the Scudetto was claimed at San Siro with five games to spare with a win over Maradona’s Napoli. History was made.

It wasn’t ‘Trap’s’ only win with the Nerazzurri. Under him, Inter also won the 1989 Supercoppa Italiana and the 1991 UEFA Cup, beating Roma over two legs in the final. His career continued until 2013 with successes in Italy, Germany, Portugal and Austria while he also worked as the Coach of Italy and the Republic of Ireland. A legend, wherever he went.

Today, Giovanni Trapattoni turns 80. It’s an important occasion and one to celebrate. FC Internazionale Milano and the whole Nerazzurri family wishes ‘Trap’ all the best on his birthday.