SPORTS
Marcello Lippi was back as coach of China on Friday, four months after the World Cup winner quit and following a failed stint by fellow Italian Fabio Cannavaro.
Marcello Lippi was back as coach of China on Friday, four months after the World Cup winner quit and following a failed stint by fellow Italian Fabio Cannavaro.
The 71-year-old's return was broadly welcomed by fans and local media, who are desperate to see China reach the World Cup for only a second time.
Lippi, who opted not to renew his contract after China were dumped out of the Asian Cup quarter-finals 3-0 by Iran in late January, is tasked with guiding the team to Qatar 2022. China's only previous World Cup appearance came in 2002, when they exited without a point or scoring a goal.
"Since Lippi coached the national team, they have shown a positive and tenacious fighting spirit," the Chinese Football Association (CFA) said.
"We believe that in the days to come, under the leadership of Lippi and his coaching team, the national men's side will make a full impact on their World Cup dreams." China sit a lowly 74th in the FIFA rankings, a rung above Cape Verde -- whose population is 550,000, compared with China's 1.4 billion.
But under football-fan President Xi Jinping, China have ambitions to host and even win a World Cup.
The reappointment of Lippi, who took Italy to World Cup glory in 2006, follows four months of confusion and speculation.
The former Juventus, Inter Milan and Napoli boss was succeeded by his World Cup-winning captain Cannavaro in March.
The 45-year-old former legendary defender combined the job with being coach of Chinese Super League (CSL) title-contenders Guangzhou Evergrande.
However, China lost to lower-ranked Thailand and Uzbekistan in Cannavaro's opening two matches and he quit, saying that he could not do two jobs at once.
Re-enter his mentor Lippi, who was a three-time CSL champion with Guangzhou and among the best-paid coaches in football during his first spell in charge of the national side.
Lippi -- fondly known in China as "Silver Fox" on account of his hair -- was reportedly on between $23 million and $27 million a year, evidence of the country's determination to get success at any cost.
He will earn similarly well in his second spell, with Evergrande subsiding his wages, Chinese media said.
'Silent humiliation'
Surely in his last job in football, Lippi marginally improved China last time, winning 13 of his 32 games and losing 11.
He failed to take China to Russia 2018 following his appointment in October 2016, although qualification was already in doubt following a poor run under Gao Hongbo.
Lippi's first match back at the helm will be a home game against the Philippines on June 7, followed by another home friendly, with Tajikistan, four days later.
The long road to World Cup qualification starts in September.
Lippi's return comes two days after FIFA scrapped controversial plans to expand the Qatar World Cup from 32 to 48 teams.
Lou Yichen, writing in the Oriental Sports Daily, said that the CFA had been "embarrassed" having assumed that Qatar 2022 would have more teams -- which would have made Lippi's job easier.
"The CFA broke up with 'Silver Fox' (in January) and everyone firmly believed Lippi would not look back," said the respected commentator Lou.
"Now the CFA swallows silent disgrace and humiliation to resume the relationship with Lippi."
What is historic 'Blue Gold', costlier than real gold?
Salman Khan opens up about his daddy issues with Salim Khan: 'How can he be right all the time...'
Powerful 7.6 magnitude earthquake jolts Caribbean, tsunami advisory issued
Salman Khan supports Sooaj Barjatya, pens note on his OTT debut, calls his show Bada Naam Karenge...
Little girl's energetic dance to 'London Thumakda' leaves netizens in awe, WATCH viral video
Meet man who left IIT, later earned Rs 286 crore in just 20 weeks by...
Viral Video: Sadhus playing cricket at Mahakumbh mela wins hearts online, watch
Happy Chocolate Day 2025: Wishes, WhatsApp messages, quotes to share with your partner on February 9
Meet woman, who plays key role in Rs 33661 crore company, daughter of billionaire
Vicky Kaushal and Akshaye Khanna didn't talk to each other on the Chhaava sets because...
Nita Ambani, Nick Jonas share candid moments at Siddharth Chopra's wedding, WATCH viral video
UPSC Civil Services Prelims Exam 2025 registration date extended by 7 days; apply at upsc.gov.in
'Fight for progress of Delhi will continue', says LoP Rahul Gandhi after Congress's Delhi debacle
Namma Metro Fare Update: Travel rides get costlier by 50 per cent from THIS date; check details
'AAP-Da Mukt Delhi': PM Modi hails BJP's resounding victory in assembly polls 2025
'He is fit to...': India batting coach shares BIG update on Virat Kohli ahead of IND vs ENG 2nd ODI
IND vs ENG: Rohit Sharma on cusp of breaking Sachin Tendulkar's record in elite openers list
NASA confirms Sunita Williams' return date, denies US President Trump’s ‘stranded’ claim
Meet man whose airline went bankrupt, still has Rs 43894 crore net worth, he is...
Ranji Trophy: Suryakumar Yadav's horror show with bat continues, India star clean bowled for just...
Chocolate Day 2025: 5 easy homemade chocolate recipes to impress your partner
Mass layoffs at Infosys as company terminates 700 freshers over...
Priyanka Chopra wears 62-emerald bead Bvlgari necklace at her brother's wedding
Chocolate Day 2025: Date, significance, history and celebration ideas
Meet Swati Singh, wife of BJP's Parvesh Verma, who defeated Arvind Kejriwal by 4089 votes
Meet man, son of world’s richest woman, he is set to take over Rs 1642000 crore empire as...
SHOCKING! Bride's family cancels wedding at last moment over groom's low...
Nita Ambani, Shloka Mehta stun in gorgeous sarees at Priyanka Chopra's brother's wedding
Meet Trisha and Sanidhi, daughters of BJP's Parvesh Verma, who defeated Arvind Kejriwal
New entrant in grocery quick-commerce, ready to compete with industry giants
Transforming the news and media industry with Generative AI: Expert insights by Sanjay Jain
Dr Tanvi Tijoriwala, ND shedsputs light on balancing skin barrier during rising temperatures
How PM Modi's magic shattered Arvind Kejriwal and his third-term hope in Delhi?
Ahmedabad: Fire breaks out at Sabarmati bullet train station, check details
Meet Sunita Kejriwal, Arvind Kejriwals's wife, who was former IRS officer, met him during...
BIG blow for Meta employees, Mark Zuckerberg's company to layoff employees from..., reason is...
Amitabh Bachchan sparks major concern among fans with cryptic post, writes 'time to go'
Taylor Swift 'feels used' by Blake Lively, wishes she didn't drag her into Justin Baldoni case
Meet IAS officer who failed five times before cracking UPSC exam, cleared in 6th attempt with AIR...
Delhi Election Result 2025 Live Updates: Check full list of winners and losers in Delhi elections
Who is Kabir Bahia, Kriti Sanon's rumoured boyfriend who hid his face from paps