Lippi staying say Old Lady
Friday 26 March, 2004
Juventus insist that boss Marcello Lippi will still be in charge next season, but they have opened the door for Didier Deschamps.
"Lippi is staying here with us but Deschamps could be the future," director general Luciano Moggi is quoted as saying.
"Didier was one of my players and we often talk to each other. He has a bright career ahead of him and I hope to bring him back here one day. But not next season."
Rumours in Italy suggest that Lippi, who has a contract until 2005, could quit the club in the summer to take charge of the Italian national side.
That led to stories suggesting that Monaco boss Deschamps, who played under Lippi, was a leading contender to take over.
The media also believe that the club are set for a summer revolution after a disappointing campaign. But Moggi has cooled the numerous reports.
"People claim that we have already bought Olivier Kapo (Auxerre) but that is not true," he added. "If we think he is a good player then we could look at him."
Juve have also been linked with Auxerre defender Phillipe Mexes. "He is an interesting player and very young too," continued the transfer guru.
Moggi added that Juve are keeping an eye on Parma striker Alberto Gilardino, said to be a possible replacement for David Trezeguet.
Yet the Bianconeri official has hit back at claims that the Frenchman is set for a summer move to Barcelona. "We are not selling Trezeguet or Pavel Nedved," concluded Moggi.