World Cup-winning coach Marcello Lippi ignalled an end to his stellar managerial career after the Italian guided Guangzhou Evergrande to their fourth successive Chinese Super League title on Sunday. Although he will not be running the trainings anymore, Lippi says he will instead take charge of the technical staff as a member of the coaching team.
The 66-year-old's Chinese adventure was the final chapter in his remarkable coaching career. He won five Serie A crowns during two separate stints with Juventus and secured a Champions League triumph with the club in 1996. Lippi also had two stints with the national side with the highlight being when he coached Italy to victory at the 2006 World Cup. He resigned after the side put up a poor defence of their title in South Africa and joined Guangzhou in May 2012. At Guangzhou, he won the league and cup double in his first campaign before leading them to another league title plus the Asian Champions League last season.
"It's a decision I made by myself after many years. In a few months I will be 67 years-old and I don't want to be on the pitch any more to train teams. I will be the head of the managers but I won't train any more. Someone will take my place and no one else in the team will change," Lippi said.