Giovanni Trapattoni has signed up as an ‘elite ambassador’ for Fiat in the German and Austrian markets. Such a relationship makes sense given he is Italian and has worked in both countries at high levels but could he have strayed offside in terms of his day job?The FAI has a long standing commercial partnership with Ford and Trapattoni himself has participated in many initiatives such as the launch last year ahead of the Euro 2012 Finals of the Ford Republic of Football.
The manager is of course his own man but he is an employee of the Association and it is hoped he sought approval before signing this particular deal.
The motor business is a great supporter of Irish soccer, with the Volkswagen Group in particular heavily involved with sponsorship of Sligo Rovers, Bray Wanderers, Shamrock Rovers, Shelbourne and Bohemians.
Within that family, Seat and Audi also have good relationships within Irish sport.
Fiat has had sponsorship packages in the past with the Tour of Ireland Cycling and the Flora Women’s mini marathon but no obvious link to soccer in this country.
Eyebrows may be raised over this deal, even more so after Austria’s injury time equaliser at the Aviva Stadium last month, a goal which may have made the manager’s place in the affections of the Irish soccer public just a shade less secure than it might have been.
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