Lippi resigns as Italy head coach

[khay 8]

Lippi resigns as Italy head coach 

 

 

Marcello Lippi has resigned as coach of Italy after leading his country to a fourth World Cup title.

Despite widespread calls for him to stay at the helm after Italy's win over France he says the time is right to go.

 

"I believe that I have achieved what I set out to achieve as coach of the Italian team," Lippi said.

 

The 58-year-old feels he and his son, Davide, were attacked personally in the match-fixing and corruption scandal tainting the domestic game.

 

After two years and 17 days in charge, Lippi said his decision came at the end of "an extraordinary professional and personal experience." and he did not reveal his future plans.

 

"I want to thank the federation for the confidence it had in me during the last two years of work crowned by a result that will rest in the annals of Italian football and live on in the memory of our fans," he added.

 

Italian Federation vice president Giancarlo Abete said Lippi had told him during the second round of the World Cup that he intended to quit regardless of his team's performance.

 

In a statement, Abete praised Lippi for his "extraordinary professionalism and his ability leading the team."

 

He turned down a new contract before the World Cup began and failed to attend a meeting with the Italian Federation on Tuesday.

 

He was said to be tired of hearing his name mentioned in connection with the match-fixing scandal involving four top Serie A clubs, including champions Juventus, with whom he won five Serie A titles and the 1996 Champions League in two stints as coach between 1994 and 2004.

 

While he is not under investigation, Lippi was questioned by prosecutors before the World Cup about alleged pressure he received to select certain players for Italy's national team.

 

Davide Lippi works at a player agency linked to the scandal and is under investigation for "illegal competition with threats and violence".

 

Lippi took over from Giovanni Trapattoni after Italy's poor performance at Euro 2004.

 

In two years in charge Lippi lost just two matches - a 2-0 defeat on his debut against Iceland and a 1-0 loss in World Cup qualifying

 

But following that reverse Italy went 25 games unbeaten, a run, their longest since 1939, that culminated in a first world title since 1982 and a leap up the world rankings to second behind Brazil.

 

The World Cup final finished 1-1 before Italy won the shoot-out 5-3 and Lippi described the victory as "the most satisfying moment of my life".

 

Lippi was recently linked with a move to Manchester United as a potential successor to Sir Alex Ferguson.

 

But the Italian was quick to reject the speculation - citing his lack of English as his reason for not moving to the Premiership - and United also denied the rumours.

 

 

 

 

Italy's next fixture is a Euro 2008 qualifier at home to Lithuania on 2 September before a re-match against France in Paris four days later.

 

They are in Group B which also includes Ukraine, Scotland, Georgia and Faroe Islands.

 

Claudio Gentile, Alberto Zaccheroni and Roberto Donadoni are the early front-runners to replace Lippi.

 

[Guest alex]

Seemed to be some suggestions that he would stay on for Euro 2008. Good decision though IMO. Quit while you're at the top.

[luckyluke 1]

Not a bad way to go.

[sweetleftpeg 0]

Going to the mackems.

[Bizza 105]

Not suprised, How can you top winning the World Cup?

[Guest Fog on the Tyne]

Not suprised, How can you top winning the World Cup?

158782[/snapback]

 

Winning it twice?

[Gemmill 34151]

Not suprised, How can you top winning the World Cup?

158782[/snapback]

 

SLP has already answered that.

[Guest alex]

Fingers and tops?

[Jimbo 133]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/w...aly/5178212.stm

 

World Cup winners Italy have appointed Roberto Donadoni as their new coach to succeed Marcello Lippi.

 

Lippi resigned on Wednesday, three days after leading Italy to their fourth World Cup success.

 

Donadoni, 42, steered Livorno to sixth place in Serie A last season before resigning in February.

 

The former AC Milan midfielder, who won 63 caps for Italy, has also been in charge at Lecce and Genoa since beginning his coaching career in 2001.

 

His first game in charge of his country will be a Euro 2008 qualifier at home to Lithuania on 2 September before a rematch with World Cup final opponents France in Paris four days later.

 

Italy are in Group B which also includes Ukraine, Scotland, Georgia and Faroe Islands.

 

Donadoni was part of the Italian team that finished third in the 1990 World Cup and was in the side that lost the 1994 final to Brazil on a penalty shoot-out.

 

A speedy winger, he played for Atalanta before his illustrious spell with Milan, and wound down his playing career in America with the New York Metrostars.

 

His first coaching position was with third division Lecce in 2001 and he moved on to Livorno before an ill-fated three-game stint in charge of Genoa.

 

Donadoni returned to Livorno for a second spell during the 2004/05 season but left in February after a disagreement with club president Aldo Spinelli.