Lippi mentioned something about Calciopoli
Lippi: Where Don went wrong
Sunday 11 May, 2008
Marcello Lippi suggests Roberto Donadoni’s early Azzurri career was hampered by trying to draw too strong a line under the World Cup winners’ reign.
Donadoni had a tough job replacing Lippi after the 2006 triumph in Berlin and had a stuttering start, managing just one draw from his opening three games.
“His work has been exceptional, but initially he got muddled because he wanted to differentiate himself from my administration, which was understandable,” Lippi told Il Giornale.
Ever since resigning there has been talk of the former Italy boss’ return to the bench and Donadoni’s refusal to pen an extension dependent on Euro 2008 results only fuelled these reports.
“I have great respect for Donadoni, so it seems rather inappropriate to talk of a return to the Azzurri a month before the European Championship.”
However, Lippi also admits the decision to quit was not something he took lightly.
“Of course I regretted it, more than once, but at that moment I could do nothing else. The behaviour of certain people was shameful, as they tried to kick me out by pouring the Calciopoli scandal on to my family. It was vicious opportunism.”
Lippi’s son Davide was in charge of the GEA World agency that was initially caught up in the Calciopoli investigation, although the process is on-going.
It prompted some newspapers to call for Lippi to be sacked before the World Cup even began, while others demanded the Under-21 squad be sent to Germany instead, as the Italy side would only bring 'shame’ on its country.
“During the World Cup I told my wife and then FIGC President Giancarlo Abete that I would get out of the way as soon as the tournament was over. I kept my word, even if I suffered a great deal.
“I thought it wrong to depart before the competition, as we had worked so hard for two years to create a strong, solid team with quality and moral fortitude. We managed to make the Nazionale a side for everyone.”
He has not returned to the bench since then and admits the time has come to get back to work.
“Would I return to Inter? Absolutely not. I didn’t do well there, as others didn’t either, so there is no reason for the President to want me back.
“I would like very much to resume working after almost two years travelling the world explaining how Italy won in Berlin.
“I was invited by almost every European FA and I never turned them down. In a way I have been acting as the FIGC’s Foreign Minister without Portfolio. I have been called by many clubs and I’ll go somewhere, but I can confirm it will be outside Italy.”
Lippi has been linked with the benches at Barcelona, Real Madrid, Manchester City and Chelsea.
source: Channel4.com
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