Republic of Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni has backed Walter Zenga for success at Catania.

"Walter will do well because he has lost the short fuse of a player and reasons like a Coach," Trap enthused in La Stampa. "There has been some prejudice against him shown by people who can't even see them for looking down their own noses.

"He has learned a lot from his experiences around the world where he learned his trade.

"To be honest, he has surprised me. I remembered him as being brash and also a loudmouth. The day that I left Inter, I didn't think that he would have a future as a Coach.

"However, he has succeeded instead. He has done everything for himself, without help, and he should be proud.

"I noticed that he had changed when I asked him about a Serbian player back in 2006. He replied to me in a way that only a Coach knows.

"He has already done good remodelling work on a tactical level at Catania and he seems to have remembered the work that he has done before. Perhaps he could have come back to Italy sooner."