Brady named as Republic assistant

Brady (right) played under Trapattoni at Juventus in the 1980s

Liam Brady has agreed a two-year deal with the Football Association of Ireland to become an assistant to new Republic manager Giovanni Trapattoni.

Brady is director of Arsenal's youth academy - but the Gunners have agreed to him also working with the Republic.

"The board of directors and Arsene Wenger are quite happy for me to do this and to keep my job at Arsenal," Brady told Irish broadcaster RTE.

"Trapattoni needs to get to know the players and I can help him with that."

Brady played under Trapattoni during his spell at Juventus in the 1980s.

The former Republic midfielder recently travelled to Austria to meet Trapattoni.

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Brady will also work alongside Marco Tardelli, who has already joined Trapattoni's Republic set-up.

"I will be with Giovanni Trapattoni and assist him in all he does," added Brady.

One of the Brady's first tasks is likely to be attempting to convince Steve Finnan and Andy O'Brien to reverse their decisions to quit international football.