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Tuesday, January 23 |
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Lippi Resigns After Winning World Cup
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Italian national team coach Marcello Lippi Wednesday resigned from his job, three days after leading the Azzurri to win their fourth World Cup in Germany. "After an extraordinary professional and personal experience, which I lived leading an outstanding group of players with the help of a first-rate staff, I feel that my role at the helm of the Azzurri is over," Lippi said.
"I therefore informed FIGC (the Italian football federation) of my decision to quit my post as technical director at the end of my contract. I want to thank FIGC for the confidence they always showed during these two years, which have been topped by an achievement that will remain forever in the history of Italian football and in the heart of all fans."
Giancarlo Abete, a FIGC official who led the Italian delegation at the World Cup, said that Lippi already told him during the group stage that he was going to quit after the World Cup, regardless of the team's achievement at the tournament.
Abete thanked Lippi "for his professionality and for his ability to lead the team at a moment of great difficulty that we all know well."
A wide-ranging scandal that since early May has been shaking Italian football has in part involved Lippi and his son Davide, a footballers' agent, in an alleged scheme to control the transfer market.
The coach reacted angrily to suggestions that he should quit his job before the World Cup and had some heated exchanges with reporters during the tournament.
On the pitch, the 58-year Lippi steered the Azzurri to 18 wins, nine draws and two defeats since he took over the squad in June 2004 replacing Giovanni Trapattoni. The 5-3 penalty shoot-out win over France in Sunday's World Cup final sealed an unbeaten run of 25 official games, the Azzurri's second best ever.
His coaching career began in 1982 with the youth team of Sampdoria where had played for nine seasons. He debuted in the Serie A in 1989 with Cesena and arrived on the bench of giants Juventus in 1994.
At Juve, Lippi won five national titles, one Champions League and one Intercontinental Cup.
Former international Roberto Donadoni, 42, is being rumoured as his likely successor, but FIGC are said to be considering also Alberto Zaccheroni and youth team coach and 1982 world champion Claudio Gentile.
By Alberto Cagliano, |
posted by ^%&^
@ 8:06 AM
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