Marcello Lippi

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Lore & Background

Lippi is regarded as one of the greatest and most successful managers in football history. He is the first and to date the only coach to win both the UEFA Champions League and the AFC Champions League. He is also the first coach to have won the most prestigious international competitions both for clubs in different continents, and for national teams (the UEFA Champions League and the Intercontinental Cup in 1996 with Juventus; the AFC Champions League in 2013 with Guangzhou Evergrande; and the FIFA World Cup in 2006 with Italy). The Times included him on its list of the top 50 managers of all time in 2007. He was named the world's best football manager by the IFFHS in 1996 and 1998 and the world's best National coach in 2006.

In Their Own Story

The roar of the Stade de France faded into a hush as the penalty spot loomed large under the Parisian lights. Marcello Lippi stood with his arms crossed, eyes fixed not on the ball, but on the faces of his players. He had seen them doubt themselves in training, but here, amidst the weight of a nation's history, they were steel. When Grosso stepped up and struck the leather past Barthez, Lippi didn't cheer; he simply exhaled, a silent release of years of pressure, before turning to embrace Del Piero as confetti began to fall.

Reader's Guide

Lippi began his professional career as a defender in 1969. He spent most of his playing years with Sampdoria, except for a year on loan at Savona. He later played for Pistoiese and finished his playing career with Lucchese. He retired from active football in 1982 to pursue a coaching career. He started as a youth-team coach at Sampdoria, then coached in Italy's lower divisions, becoming a head coach in Serie A in 1989 with Cesena. He later coached Lucchese, Atalanta, and Napoli. He then managed Juventus, Inter Milan, and returned to Juventus. He was appointed Italy head coach in July 2004. During the 2006 World Cup, he rotated several players and adopted several tactical systems, eventually settling on a 4–2–3–1 formation. Italy beat France 5–3 in a penalty shoot-out in the final after a 1–1 draw. After the World Cup, he did not renew his contract and left the role. He was re-appointed as Italy coach on 26 June 2008. Italy took part in the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup under Lippi, suffering a first-round elimination. Italy qualified for the 2010 World Cup with two games to spare. He was succeeded by Cesare Prandelli after a disappointing performance in the 2010 World Cup.

Did You Know?

• Lippi is the first and only coach to win both the UEFA Champions League and the AFC Champions League.
• He led Italy to the 2006 World Cup title, with the team conceding only two goals in the tournament.
• He was named world's best football manager by IFFHS in 1996 and 1998, and world's best National coach in 2006.
• Lippi never played for Italy at senior level.