Lippi In Chelsea's Sights?
(Goal.com) - We may want to take this one with a pinch of salt, but that bastion of tabloid reliability, The Sun, quotes cigar-chomping Marcello Lippi, the tactical genius who led Italy to World Cup glory in the summer, as claiming that Chelsea want him to replace Jose Mourinho for next season.
According to the Sun's report, 58-year-old Lippi says he is being courted by a number of clubs - "but specifically Chelsea."
The corollary to this particular line of speculation is the oft-denied conjecture that Chelsea are preparing to bid farewell to Mourinho at the end of the current campaign.
Mourinho is said to have grown distinctly disillusioned with life under Roman's empire. The consequences of the Chelsea board's unwillingness to endorse his wish for defensive reinforcements during the January window could be become apparent over the next few weeks following the serious-looking injury sustained by Ashley Cole in Wednesday night's victory over Blackburn.
But if The Sun is to be believed, the Chelsea board are already planning the succession.
Lippi apparently told The Sun: "I'm aware that I'm on the wanted list at a number of big clubs but specifically Chelsea and I regard that as only natural.
"I know I'm a good coach and if anyone is surprised about top clubs like Chelsea wanting me then I just point to my record.
"I have coached teams which have reached the Champions League final four times, I've won Serie A five times and of course the World Cup, too.
"If anyone thinks that a move to a big English club is beyond me then I'd just say 'give me a break'."
The modest Italian sees himself as Europe's most wanted coach at the moment, which would fit Chelsea's likely search criteria.
He is said to be set on managing in the Premiership - and has even been taking English lesson.
"I'm ready, willing and enthusiastic to coach in England even though I know that people mistakenly say I can't speak English," he told the newspaper.
"What such people forget is that football is multi-lingual - every major club has players from many different countries and I can speak enough English and French as well as Italian.
"There are already a number of foreign coaches working in England so I cannot see why people might say that Chelsea is not the place for me.
"It feels wholly understandable after a year out and given my CV that a big club wants to sign me and I will make my final decision in May."
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Comments
Giova, what do you make of all this? As you know I'm not too fond of Chelsea but I love Lippi as a manager. He is so smart & always seems to be thinking a half dozen steps ahead of the managers he faces & he is a players manager which is most important. The only problem I see with such a move is Chelsea's owner seems to be way too much involved with how his manager goes about his job. He's too heavy handed & it seems he pretty much at this point in time is picking the squads for each match that Chelsea plays so the manager they have now in a way has his hands tied behind his back. It's no wonder Chelsea is having a few problems at this point in time.
Posted by: DynastySoccerFC ... Rasputin | February 1, 2007 03:46 PM
this whole story is junk. There is no way Mourinho would ever leave Chelsea. No matter what the papers say, Mourinho will not leave any time soon
Posted by: bredred | February 6, 2007 12:35 PM
Ras, I don't think Lippi would sign a contract with Chelsea unless he had 100% total control. I don't think Lippi would go to England though.
Posted by: giova * * * * | February 6, 2007 12:52 PM
I could be wrong but the only time I think Marcello fell falt was at Inter,regardless he knows the game,wherever he goes he'll help.
Posted by: wolfen | February 7, 2007 09:28 AM
lippi is a good coach but i think they should joes a chance to finish the good work he've already started.
from nigeria
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