Trapattoni has asked Ireland to reconsider and wondered if he has the hunger to return.
He said on www.elevenaside.com
"I wish he comes back but I think I know why he has not because I have had many players like him. We are David and Italy are Goliath. I used to think I could not play against Goliath, against players like Pele, Johan Cruyff and Eusebio. I could have gone and hidden but I didn't.
"I became famous because I played against these famous players, but because I myself was famous. I was not the good player but I was marking them. I had the willingness to play.
"I am proud of the players I have in the squad now because they all play with heart. We might make mistakes but they play with heart."