Marcello Lippi has voluntarily given up on the position of technical director for the Azzurri to avoid generating a conflict of interests.
The hero the 2006 World Cup had been asked to play a role in the foundation of a new Italy team after Euro 2016, when Coach Giampiero Ventura will replace Antonio Conte.
Marcello Lippi has voluntarily given up on the position of technical director for the Azzurri to avoid generating a conflict of interests.
The hero the 2006 World Cup had been asked to play a role in the foundation of a new Italy team after Euro 2016, when Coach Giampiero Ventura will replace Antonio Conte.
His eligibility for the role of technical director was questioned, however, when sources realised that his son Davide works as a football agent and represents some of the footballers who play for or who can be selected for La Nazionale. These are grounds for a conflict of interests that contravenes the regulation of the Italian Football Federation.
The Federation deferred the problem to the Italian federal court in hopes that a way around that rule could be found, but Lippi moved first.
The veteran Coach voluntarily gave up on taking the position within the FIGC.
Sources say he called president Carlo Tavecchio and communicated his desire not to take the job, to avoid causing professional trouble for his son.
“I understand that people are trying to bend the rules and finding a different interpretation that would allow me to work with the FIGC,” Lippi told La Gazzetta dello Sport. “But I already know what would happen.
“The situation would be politicised, and I wouldn't accept that. I want to protect the professional reputation of my son, who has been doing this job for over 10 years, and already did it when I won the World Cup.
“I've been speaking with [FIGC president Carlo] Tavecchio for two months. He wants me here, and I want to work with enthusiasm for the federation and give them everything I've got. But it's not possible.
“I can't tell if it's a purposefully created situation, but I'm moving aside. I thought there were worst things around, but it seems to me that nobody said anything.
“I've got nothing against anyone, but I'm stepping aside.”