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Trapattoni Off the Rails Say German Train Drivers

DW staff/ AFP (sp)October 29, 2005

Do train drivers have an easy time of their job? A German soccer club's manager seemed to think so when he compared it to the demands of his own strenuous profession. Germany's rail drivers aren't amused.

https://p.dw.com/p/7NoR
Did someone say my job is a cakewalk?Image: dpa

The German train drivers' union (GDL) has demanded an apology from VfB Stuttgart manager Giovanni Trapattoni over a comment the Italian made after his club's 3-2 cup defeat to Hansa Rostock on Wednesday.

Trapattoni
Giovanni Trapattoni hasn't exactly endeared himself to Germany's train driversImage: AP

"Managers are always under pressure and it goes with the profession," Trapattoni said. "If I could not handle it I would be a train driver instead."

The quote angered train drivers and GDL spokesman Manfred Schell invited 'Trap' to spend a day finding out first hand what sort of pressure the job entailed.

"To help Mr Trapattoni learn more about the daily work of a train driver the GDL invites him to accompany a train driver for a whole day," said Schell.

"It is a constant battle against time and the driver has an enormous amount of responsibility for people and goods."

Trapattoni, 66, is feeling the strain just three months into his reign at Stuttgart after winning two league matches and exiting the domestic cup.

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