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Marcello Lippi: Cesare Prandelli Is The Right Man To Coach Italy
Lippi believes that Prandelli will lead Italy into a new era...
24-Mar-2011 6:35:00 AM
By Subhankar Mondal
Getty Images
2006 World Cup winning Italy coach Marcello Lippi believes that Cesare Prandelli is the right man to lead the Azzurri and is hopeful of rebirth for Calcio.
Lippi won in Germany five years ago against the odds, in the same summer Italian football had been caught up in the Calciopoli scandal.
After Roberto Donadoni's failed Euro 2008 campaign, the 62-year-old returned to the hotseat, but failed to steer his side past the group stage of the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa.
Prandelli took over from his compatriot and has since done a laudable job, with Italy currently top of Euro 2012 qualifying Group C with 10 points from four matches, and Lippi believes that the former Fiorentina tactician is the right man to lead the team.
“I think that regardless of how the World Cup in South Africa ended up, the Nazionale still needed to be restructured and a new generation brought in," said Lippi, according to La Repubblica.
"I believe that Prandelli is the right man to lead the renewal of the Italy squad and begin that process. I can’t think of anyone more suitable for the role.”
Lippi also gave his opinion on the current crisis at his former club Juventus, who could miss out on Champions League football for the second season in a row.
“They have been working for two years to return to the top," he said. "I think there are competent people who are working well, but unfortunately the results are not coming. If things continue like this, though, it can only be better in the next few years."
The former Napoli and Inter tactician also hailed veteran striker Alessandro Del Piero's performance this season and enthused: “I am not remotely surprised by the fine performances of Alessandro Del Piero.
"When you have love for your work and combine that with class and a great professional approach, you can play until you’re 40.”
Lippi won in Germany five years ago against the odds, in the same summer Italian football had been caught up in the Calciopoli scandal.
After Roberto Donadoni's failed Euro 2008 campaign, the 62-year-old returned to the hotseat, but failed to steer his side past the group stage of the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa.
Prandelli took over from his compatriot and has since done a laudable job, with Italy currently top of Euro 2012 qualifying Group C with 10 points from four matches, and Lippi believes that the former Fiorentina tactician is the right man to lead the team.
“I think that regardless of how the World Cup in South Africa ended up, the Nazionale still needed to be restructured and a new generation brought in," said Lippi, according to La Repubblica.
"I believe that Prandelli is the right man to lead the renewal of the Italy squad and begin that process. I can’t think of anyone more suitable for the role.”
Lippi also gave his opinion on the current crisis at his former club Juventus, who could miss out on Champions League football for the second season in a row.
“They have been working for two years to return to the top," he said. "I think there are competent people who are working well, but unfortunately the results are not coming. If things continue like this, though, it can only be better in the next few years."
The former Napoli and Inter tactician also hailed veteran striker Alessandro Del Piero's performance this season and enthused: “I am not remotely surprised by the fine performances of Alessandro Del Piero.
"When you have love for your work and combine that with class and a great professional approach, you can play until you’re 40.”
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