ROUND-UP INTERNATIONAL SOCCER NEWS:THE FRIENDSHIP between Marco Tardelli and Liam Brady has endured for more than a quarter of a century and to judge by their first engagement with the media since being appointed joint assistants to Giovanni Trapattoni, the high regard in which they hold their former Juventus boss is still something on which they agree.

Their styles may differ but their message out at Abbotstown yesterday was the same, both men insisting if anyone can restore the Ireland team's battered pride and guide it to the next World Cup it is the veteran Italian.

"I've worked first hand with the man, albeit going back to 1980," said Brady. "It was a time when he had big, big players, (Roberto) Bettega, (Paolo) Rossi, (Dino) Zoff . . . Marco maybe. I saw him create a team spirit among those players. There were no prima donnas, everyone was treated equally.

"He had a great knowledge of the game, he was great tactically and I just think he ticks all the boxes.

"He's also a great person. I'm not exaggerating when I say I really think these players will enjoy playing under him."

Asked about the suggestion he would be well placed to succeed the Italian in a couple of years, Brady insisted, "I'm not thinking that way at all, I hope Trapattoni is in the job for the next six years and myself and Marco are in the job for the next six years too."

Tardelli was just as upbeat in his assessment of Trapattoni and, like Brady, expressed confidence Ireland could qualify for the next World Cup, most likely by way of the play-offs.

He said he had been attracted to the job by the involvement of his old friends but that since taking it he had been pleased with the quality of the Ireland players he had seen playing for their clubs.

"I took this job because I was asked by Trapattoni and also the fact that Liam was going to be in his management team was a factor," he said. "We've been friends for a long time. We can only embrace the manager.

"I didn't watch many players before I took a job," he continued, "but I saw many players together with Liam during March. And I do believe we stand a chance to qualify for the World Cup - from what I've seen there are players with very good qualities."

Brady confirmed Robbie Keane would retain the captaincy and added he had overseen a number of changes among the backroom staff. He confirmed Frank Stapleton and Mick Martin had taken scouting roles, Martin Lawlor had replaced John Fallon as kit manager and Alan Kelly had returned as goalkeeping coach.

Both Trapattoni's new helpers arrive with a little baggage, Tardelli having allowed Keane leave Inter Milan after taking over as manager and Brady, in his role as a media commentator, having been outspoken in criticising the team's performances during the last few years.

Neither, however, could see any reason yesterday to expect problems from aggrieved players.

"I told Robbie he had a bright future and he did, just not at Inter," said Tardelli. "It was a difficult time at Inter; Robbie was very young and unfortunately I wasn't the only one making the decisions at the club. I certainly wasn't the only one handling the money."

Brady, meanwhile, said he had "always called it as I've seen it. I hope the players respect that but we'll have to see what it brings."

Though the Dubliner has spent recent weekends attending games with Tardelli and has discussed team matters with Trapattoni almost daily, he admitted his precise role had not yet been clearly defined.

Asked if he was surprised by Roy Keane's suggestion he would be no more than an interpreter, he replied, "Yes, very surprised - surprised that it took so long.

"You know as well as I do that we go back a long way with a difference in opinion of how things went in 2002," he continued.

"I took my stance and in all probability what he had to say about me was down to the fact I took that particular stance.

"But the new manager has to work with him. He's done a great job with Sunderland. I hope he and his assistants can develop the Irish players with him.

"I wouldn't go there. It's time to forget about all that now. My personal issues or Roy's personal issues with me should be totally forgotten, buried."