MILAN, April 29 (Reuters) - Juventus coach Marcello Lippi will leave the Serie A champions at the end of the season, the club said on Thursday.
The 56-year-old Lippi has won five league titles in two spells at the Turin club and had one year remaining on his contract.
A spokesman said the club had not made any decision on a replacement for the coach who led Juventus to two successive titles after returning from Inter Milan in 2001.
"It has been fantastic, but I think it's time for me step aside," Lippi was quoted as saying by Italian news agency ANSA.
Juventus lie third in Serie A with no chance of catching leaders AC Milan in the final three matches of the season, and Lippi said he had made his decision to leave over a month ago.
"About 50 days ago, right after a crucial period for us, I had to deal with the conditions that everyone knows about and I expressed my feelings to the club. These players have given me their all and I am convinced they can still give something but with another coach," Lippi said.
Lippi, who also won three Italian titles and the European Cup during his first spell at Juve from 1994 to 1999, has always insisted he would not coach another Italian side after his ill-fated spell with Inter.
"I am not going to any other team. I have refused any kind of discussion with anyone," said Lippi who also said there were no financial reasons behind his decision.
"I didn't ask for a lira and when you have a rapport such as I have with this club it is not one year of a contract that can cause problems.
"The club tried to get me to change my mind and we also thought about continuing our relationship in a different form but I am convinced that the right thing is to step aside," said Lippi.
Italian media reports have suggested that Parma coach Cesare Prandelli, a former Juve player, would be a frontrunner to replace Lippi.
Chievo coach Luigi Del Neri and Monaco coach Didier Deschamps have also been linked with a switch to the Delle Alpi stadium
:down: i will miss lippi and thank u so much for all what u have brougth juvetnus:down:
The 56-year-old Lippi has won five league titles in two spells at the Turin club and had one year remaining on his contract.
A spokesman said the club had not made any decision on a replacement for the coach who led Juventus to two successive titles after returning from Inter Milan in 2001.
"It has been fantastic, but I think it's time for me step aside," Lippi was quoted as saying by Italian news agency ANSA.
Juventus lie third in Serie A with no chance of catching leaders AC Milan in the final three matches of the season, and Lippi said he had made his decision to leave over a month ago.
"About 50 days ago, right after a crucial period for us, I had to deal with the conditions that everyone knows about and I expressed my feelings to the club. These players have given me their all and I am convinced they can still give something but with another coach," Lippi said.
Lippi, who also won three Italian titles and the European Cup during his first spell at Juve from 1994 to 1999, has always insisted he would not coach another Italian side after his ill-fated spell with Inter.
"I am not going to any other team. I have refused any kind of discussion with anyone," said Lippi who also said there were no financial reasons behind his decision.
"I didn't ask for a lira and when you have a rapport such as I have with this club it is not one year of a contract that can cause problems.
"The club tried to get me to change my mind and we also thought about continuing our relationship in a different form but I am convinced that the right thing is to step aside," said Lippi.
Italian media reports have suggested that Parma coach Cesare Prandelli, a former Juve player, would be a frontrunner to replace Lippi.
Chievo coach Luigi Del Neri and Monaco coach Didier Deschamps have also been linked with a switch to the Delle Alpi stadium
:down: i will miss lippi and thank u so much for all what u have brougth juvetnus:down:
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