Marcello Lippi believes Italy CT Antonio Conte will not stay on after Euro 2016.
The Azzurri boss has had a tumultuous time in charge since taking over last summer, as he still could face trial in a match-fixing probe, but is on the verge of mathematically assuring Italy’s place in the tournament.
Despite this, World Cup-winner Lippi does not believe Conte will remain in the job after the tournament in France.
“My impression is that Conte won’t stay,” the former Juventus Coach told Corriere dello Sport.
Marcello Lippi believes Italy CT Antonio Conte will not stay on after Euro 2016.
The Azzurri boss has had a tumultuous time in charge since taking over last summer, as he still could face trial in a match-fixing probe, but is on the verge of mathematically assuring Italy’s place in the tournament.
Despite this, World Cup-winner Lippi does not believe Conte will remain in the job after the tournament in France.
“My impression is that Conte won’t stay,” the former Juventus Coach told Corriere dello Sport.
“I’m sure he’ll complete his two-year cycle though. I always thought that, even when there was tension relating to events from the past.
“He’ll stick it out to the end, because he’s a serious person, but it seems obvious to me that he’ll go back to Coaching after that, because he needs that adrenaline like he needs to breathe.
“Is it because he’s young? Yes, but what counts – and that’s not a play on words [‘conta’ being Italian for ‘count’] – is not your age, but the experience you get.
“In this sense there was no-one better than Antonio to lead Italy, and make that leap.”
Lippi has had two spells in charge of the Azzurri, would he be tempted to return for a third if Conte does leave?
“I don’t think so, but from experience I know that in football you can – mostly – never say never.
“Let me be clear, this isn’t me putting my name forward. I’m just saying I think I’m ready for another role. I mean in general, it would apply to a club with a project too.
“But even more for the national team, for the Federation. I think there’s a gap there, and I’m referring to a technical director.
“Lippi with a directorial role in the Azzurri would be possible, even useful, because after certain things I know how to see those with other interests.”