Trapped under criticism

Under-fire Italy manager Giovanni Trapattoni8217;s future has been further called into question following the national side8217;s struggle to a 2-0 win in their Euro 2004 qualifying Group IX match against lowly Azerbaijan at the weekend.

Trapattoni had already been under pressure following Italy8217;s controversial 2-1 second round elimination to South Korea followed by last month8217;s friendly loss at home to Slovenia.

The 63-year-old held his position on his return from Asia thanks to the support of old friend and Italian Football Federation FISC president Franco Carraro.

But on his return from Baku after Saturday8217;s match the future of Trapattoni has become the subject of feverish speculation with his predecessor Dino Zoff, who quit after Euro 2000, already being put forward as a possible replacement.