Marcello Lippi noted he’s finished as a club Coach, but the Guangzhou Evergrande director would like a national team job.
The World Cup winner announced his retirement after securing the third consecutive Chinese Super League title.
Marcello Lippi noted he’s finished as a club Coach, but the Guangzhou Evergrande director would like a national team job.
The World Cup winner announced his retirement after securing the third consecutive Chinese Super League title.
He has taken over as director of sport at Guangzhou Evergrande, giving the reins to Fabio Cannavaro, but now points out his intentions were misunderstood.
“The Chinese national team job has been proposed several times, but I said no,” Lippi told Radio Deejay.
“When my contract with Guangzhou expires, I can evaluate a national team. I don’t feel old yet, but I am done with clubs.
“Guangzhou asked me last year if Cannavaro wanted to come and be our technical director, but Fabio was eager to become a Coach. Therefore this season, when I decided to leave the post, I gave them two names: Cannavaro and Ciro Ferrara. They are in love with Cannavaro.”
Another of Lippi’s former Juventus” data-scaytid=”17″>Juventus stars, Antonio Conte, is now the Coach of Italy.
“Motivation is crucial in a winning team. You can have great technique, but without that push you’ll get nowhere.
“When I was at the Nazionale, I could count on 65 per cent of the Serie A players being Italian, whereas now it’s about 35 per cent.
“There are many foreign players and the clubs are probably working in terms of quantity, hoping a couple will become real players.”
Others from Lippi’s era at Juventus and Italy are still going strong, including Alessandro Del Piero who turns 40 tomorrow.
“Players like Buffon, Totti and Del Piero are eternal. There are two paths to take, one where you quit as a champion, or try a whole new experience like Alex did. He certainly couldn’t have gone to Inter or Milan.
“Pippo Inzaghi is the Milan Coach now and it’s true that when I was in charge a few players did seem ready to take that route straight away. It takes a particular focus, a predisposition, to be a Coach.
“Inzaghi did well with the Milan youth team and impressed Galliani and Berlusconi. However, to win you also need a good team.”