Lippi: I Want A New Job Now

[M|ch]

World Cup-winning coach Marcelo Lippi has restated his desire to return to management, months after leaving the Italian national side...


World Cup-winning Azzurri coach Marcelo Lippi has declared himself ready to retake a managerial hotseat.

The boss-turned-pundit told the Gazzetta dello Sport, "I don't have a specific club in mind, but I'm ready for a new job.

"Working on TV has been enjoyable, but it was never going to be long-term.

"I'd love to coach in England, but since I can't speak English I'm at a massive disadvantage; after all, a manager has to manage his players.

"AC Milan? They already have a superb boss [in Carlo Ancelotti]; he's a great guy to have in charge."

Lippi resigned from the national team after that World Cup Final win over France in summer but, with Roberto Donadoni's new-look Azzurri struggling to hit form, many have called for the ex-Juventus man's return.

Some have even speculated that he would serve well as an assistant to Donadoni, but Lippi has laughed off such suggestions.

"Donadoni's a top coach and doesn't need my help," he puffed.

"The current Azzurri squad is fantastic and have only drawn and lost once against France.

"I'm sure that they will show the pedigree becoming of World Champions when they face Scotland [in November at Hampden] and consequently qualify."

Lippi is noted for having an eye for a player and, with that in mind, has made an unusual recommendation for the Ballon d'Or prize, awarded to the World Player of the Year by France Football magazine.

"I think that Andrea Pirlo deserves the prize," he said of the AC Milan midfielder.

"He's won as much as Kaka has and, of course, he's a World Cup winner.

"He's highly rated worldwide and is one of the few players can really exemplify a side."