TRAP IN, DECO OUT

Last updated : 06 July 2004 By editor

"I'm here with all the enthusiasm of a young man, with the same enthusiasm I had as a player in my 20s and my first year as a coach," Trapattoni said at a news conference.

Trapattoni, 65 succeeds Jose Antonio Camacho, who left to become coach at Real Madrid.

As we reported yesterday Portugal midfielder Deco will sign a four-year contract with Barcelona today.

The Spanish media said Barca were prepared to pay Porto 12 million Euros and exchange Portuguese winger Ricardo Quaresma for the Brazilian-born 26-year-old.

Barcelona president Joan Laporta told El Mundo Deportivo:

"We only have to tie up the final details of the agreement," he said. "I'm quite optimistic and believe that Deco will end up becoming a Barcelona player."

Laporta also said he did not think Edgar Davids would remain at Camp Nou.

"I don't believe that Davids will play for Barcelona next season," said the Barca president. "We are looking for another player that has his sort of defensive characteristics."