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Lippi leaves behind a legacy in Chinese soccer
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COACHING legend Marcello Lippi is heading back to Italy but is leaving behind a great legacy for Chinese soccer.
The 66-year-old Lippi, who took over as the technical director after stepping down as the head coach of Guangzhou Evergrande at the end of season last year, put in his papers citing health and family issues.
“Due to health and family reasons, Lippi recently asked for an early end to his contract. Through deliberation, the board of directors accepted his resignation,” the club said in a statement. “Both sides agree that Lippi will no longer be the director of Evergrande from March 1, 2015.”
Italian Fabio Cannavaro, 41, former world player of the year and a World Cup winner in 2006, has taken the reigns of managing the club.
Evergrande heaped praise on the 66-year-old Lippi, hailing him as “a great tactician, a gentleman and a huge contributor to Chinese soccer.”
“World famous coach Lippi took the helm of Evergrande on May 17, 2012. Since then, he has got along very well with the club, working hard to build a strong and high-spirited squad for Guangzhou as well as for China,” said the statement.
“As a world top class coach and a great tactician, Lippi has not only brought victories and champion’s trophies to Guangzhou, but also made great contributions to the development of the Chinese soccer.
“A gentleman with a great personality, Lippi is also a football messenger and a beloved friend to hundreds of millions of Chinese fans.”
Liu Yongzhuo, vice president of the Evergrande Group, said the club had suggested to the Guangzhou municipal government that Lippi be given honorary citizenship.
Through Lippi, Chinese soccer discovered advanced tactics and training, the most effective way of nurturing young talents, and the progressive management of a club.
During his three years in China, the World Cup-winning coach led Guangzhou Evergrande to three straight Chinese Super League titles, one Chinese FA Cup crown and the AFC Champions League champion in 2013, thus becoming the first-ever coach to win both the Asian title and its European equivalent.
Guangzhou captain Zheng Zhi has said Lippi has boosted their teamwork, spirit, and the ability of reading matches in a short period of time.
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