Former Italy CT Marcello Lippi has revealed that he turned down Milan before his ill-fated return to the Azzurri bench.
Lippi lifted the World Cup in 2006, and immediately stepped down as CT of the national team, being replaced by Roberto Donadoni.
Former Italy CT Marcello Lippi has revealed that he turned down Milan before his ill-fated return to the Azzurri bench.
Lippi lifted the World Cup in 2006, and immediately stepped down as CT of the national team, being replaced by Roberto Donadoni.
However, Donadoni was dismissed after a poor showing in Euro 2008 and Lippi was tempted back to the job. His second spell in charge failed to reach the heights of his first, with the Azzurri being eliminated from the 2010 World Cup without winning a game.
Lippi admits he regrets his return to the job, and also reveals he turned down Milan before taking up the position.
“I do regret returning to the national team a little bit,” Lippi admitted as he attended yesterday's ‘Bello del Calcio’ awards.
“I couldn’t say no.
“Before returning to the national team, [Adriano] Galliani offered me the Milan job, and I refused saying ‘I can’t’.
“He insisted, but I always said the same thing and I still can’t tell you the reason for this refusal.”
Lippi, who also Coached Juventus and Milan’s city rivals Inter then offered his opinions on the state of today’s Italy side, praising his former player Antonio Conte.
“Italy have shown solidity, humility and clever tactics.
“I didn't think Conte would take the Azzurri job so soon, but it was an extraordinary situation, and he was the best possible choice.
“I’m not going to give him any advice, he doesn’t have much to choose from [in terms of players], although the under-21s are promising.
“Balotelli? He was right to call him up, you can’t leave out an asset like that.”