Big name ... Guangzhou Evergrande's Marcello Lippi. Source: Zhang jingshuo / AAP
He has all but conquered China and now renowned Italian coach Marcello Lippi has not ruled out the possibility of bringing his managerial skills to Australia one day.
The World Cup-winning coach made the admission while charming a huge contingent of local and visiting Chinese media in the lead-up to his team Guangzhou Evergrande's first leg Asian Champions League match against A-League champion Central Coast at Bluetongue Stadium.
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Bright, chirpy, patient and expressive, Lippi seemed happy to answer a multitude of questions during a convoluted conference that was held in English, Italian and Mandarin.
The 65-year-old, revered for winning five Serie A titles and a Champions League with Juventus and the 2006 World Cup with Italy, made headlines a year ago when he accepted a staggering $37 million deal to coach the Chinese powerhouse for 2 1/2 years. It's been money well spent so far, with Lippi winning the league title and the country's version of the FA Cup last year and helping Evergrande qualify for the ACL. The club is also well on the way to winning this season's league title.
While he still has 18 months to go on his lucrative deal, Lippi did not rule out the possibility of exploring new horizons, including Australia.
Admittedly, unless he came down significantly in his asking price he would be out of the reach of A-League clubs, though it isn't beyond the realms of possibility that coaching the Socceroos could be an option.
Football Federation Australia chairman Frank Lowy is a man renowned for getting what he wants. He helped bring Dutchman Guus Hiddink to Australia to coach the Socceroos in 2005 and the challenge of luring Lippi would surely be one that would tickle his fancy.
Certainly Lippi seemed open to the idea.
"Who knows what will happen in the future," Lippi said when asked about the prospect of some involvement with Australian soccer. "Australia is a beautiful, wonderful country. If the opportunity to coach (here) came up, yes, I would think about it.
"Alessandro Del Piero came to Australia to play (with Sydney FC). I wasn't surprised by that.
"Alessandro and I have both taken the same path to explore new and exciting career options, so you see anything is possible."
Guiyang Olympic Centre Stadium | |
Bluetongue Stadium | |
Suwon World Cup Stadium | |
Hitachi Kashiwa Stadium | |
Guiyang Olympic Centre Stadium | |
| All times are listed in EST | |
Central Coast vs Guangzhou Bluetongue Stadium | |
| All times are listed in EST | |
Lippi has already had a happy experience with Australian soccer, though this country can't say the same when it comes to the Italian.
"I had one experience in Germany in 2006 at the World Cup," he recalled. "We beat Australia (in a round-of-16 game) and that helped us to go on and win the World Cup.
"Australia was a very good team and gave us a hard game."
That match will never be forgotten by many Australian soccer fans given it was a controversial 94th minute penalty that secured the win for Italy.
He paid tribute to Mariners coach Graham Arnold, remembering him as Hiddink's offsider in Germany.
"I see what he has done with this team (Mariners). They are the Australian champions," he said. "They are very well organised and play good football. We have to be careful of this team."
Lippi, however, is fully focused on coaching the expensively assembled Guangzhou side that boasts two players worth $25m between them - Argentine Dario Conca and Paraguayan Lucas Barrios.
Conca was signed for a then record $10m and earns $12.5m a season while the club went on to break its own transfer record by signing Barrios for $10.4m. He earns $12.5m a season.
Little wonder Arnold admitted his side is up against it tonight against a squad reportedly worth $45m.
"They have one of the most expensive teams in the world. They are worth 20, 25 times more than our squad ... one player is worth more than twice what our entire squad is worth.
"It's going to be tough but the boys are up for it.
"We are representing the Central Coast, Australia and the A-League and we are determined to put on a good show and not let anyone down."
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