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Giovanni Trapattoni 'says yes' to Greece after Claudio Ranieri exit

Giovanni Trapattoni is on the verge of a return to football after agreeing to become the new manager of Greece.

Trapattoni is set to be unveiled as Greece's new coach just days after his compatriot Claudio Ranieri stepped down in the wake of a humiliating home defeat to Faroe Islands.

The Euro 2004 winners are currently bottom of their Euro 2016 qualifying group after one draw and three defeats.

"I have been asked if I would be willing to take over in charge of the Greece national team and I said yes," Trapattoni said, according to Il Corriere dello Sport. "It's not granted that I will take over, but I have told them that I am available."

Trapattoni, 75, has been out of work since stepping down as coach of Republic of Ireland just over a year ago, but he says he cannot live without coaching.

"I still have a fire burning within me," he said. "I also have the clear mentality and experience to teach football too."

Should Trapattoni indeed be appointed by the Greek FA, he would be taking on his third international coaching role having also previously led Italy for four years.

His club coaching career started at AC Milan 40 years ago while he also sat on the bench at Juventus, Inter Milan, Bayern Munich, Cagliari, Fiorentina, Benfica, Stuttgart and Salzburg.