By DAN KARELL
After guiding Chinese club Guangzhou Evergrande to an Asian Cup title and a berth in this year’s Club World Cup, head coach Marcello Lippi has hinted that it might be time for him to step back from the world of soccer management.
In an interview given to Italian paper La Repubblica in Rome, the former World Cup winner Lippi admitted that he plans to see out his contract with Guangzhou, but added that it could be his last head coaching job.
“I remain on a one-year contract and I’m very motivated, (but after next season) I will not coach any more,” Lippi told La Repubblica. “I will stay in football, maybe as an executive or in some other form. It is my life, but things change.”
The 65-year-old won the 2006 World Cup title with Italy and won 13 titles as Juventus’ head coach, including five championships in Serie A and one UEFA Champions League title in 1996.
Here are some more stories to read from around the world:
MORE SIGNS INDICATE CASILLAS COULD LEAVE REAL MADRID
The longer that Real Madrid captain and legendary goalkeeper Iker Casillas stays on the bench, the more likely it becomes that he’ll find a new home for next season.
A new report from Diario AS in Spain states that Casillas will consider his future if he continues to play second fiddle to Diego Lopez through the end of the 2014 season. According to the report, both Arsenal and Manchester City have reportedly shown interest in the Spain international, but they won’t consider a bid for Casillas until he makes it clear that he wants to leave Madrid.
If Casillas continues at his current pace, he’ll only play a maximum of 22 games this season ahead of next summer’s World Cup, where he is assured a starting place in Spain’s lineup.
The 32-year-old has publicly stated that he wants to remain in Madrid but privately the message seems to be heading in a different direction.
MOURINHO FEARS SUAREZ THREAT FOR SUNDAY’S MATCH
Never one to mince words, Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has stolen the focus of Sunday’s English Premier League encounter against Liverpool with comments he made on Friday about Luis Suarez.
Though he was likely joking, Mourinho claimed in an interview with Chelsea TV that he hopes Suarez will be ruled out of Liverpool’s side when they meet up at Stamford Bridge. Suarez has scored 19 goals in 13 games already this season and Chelsea, which has struggled to score goals recently, likely can’t afford to face a deficit of one or two goals at any point in the upcoming match.
“Maybe Suarez has got a little injury,” Mourinho told Chelsea TV. “I’m not asking for a big injury… Just a little injury to stop him playing for four days.”
Chelsea has won three of their last five games in all competitions but have only scored five goals total and their strike force of Fernando Torres, Samuel Eto’o, and Demba Ba have only scored five times this season in the EPL. Luckily for Chelsea, all of those goals have come at home.
QUICK KICKS
A Brazilian court has ruled unanimously to demote Portuguesa to the Brazilian second division due to playing a suspended player, allowing Fluminense to remain in the top tier. (REPORT)
Stoke City head coach Mark Hughes has been charged by the FA for improper conduct. (REPORT)
Italian Football Federation (FIGC) president Giancarlo Abete said that the future of head coach Cesare Prandelli will be decided in March, instead of after the World Cup. (REPORT)
Former River Plate legend Enzo Francescoli has returned to the Argentine club as the new general manager, working with head coach Ramon Diaz. (REPORT)
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What do you think of these reports? Where does Lippi rank for you in the list of all-time greatest managers? Do you see Casillas ever leaving Real Madrid? Do you think Mourinho’s comments were inappropriate?
Share your thoughts below.