Lippi only interested in national team job; Catania president tips Silvestre for Italy

Lippi only interested in national team job

Experienced coach Marcello Lippi has moved to deny reports linking him with a coaching job at Lazio.

The Biancocelesti boss Edy Reja offered his resignation yesterday but the club chiefs have yet to decide whether they want to keep the former Napoli boss at Olimpico.

Marcello Lippi was mentioned as one of the candidates to replace Reja at Lazio, but the experienced tactician has ruled out such a possibility.

“I want to take charge of a national side,” Lippi told Italian news agency Adnkronos. “I don’t intend to go back and lead a club side in Italy again.

“I’ve said that before and I’ll repeat it – I’m not the kind of person who just changes his mind like that.

“I’ve had no telephone call from Lazio president Claudio Lotito as I’m sure that he’s read what I’ve already told the media hundred thousand times…”

The 63-year-old has been a free agent since leaving the Italy post after the 2010 World Cup.

Catania president tips Silvestre for Italy

Catania president Pietro Lo Monaco has urged Italy boss Cesare Prandelli to select Palermo defender Matias Silvestre.

The player, who was born in Argentina, holds an Italian passport and is tipped to be handed his Azzurri debut in the near future.

The 27-year-old left Catania for arch rivals Palermo last summer and has developed into one of the best Serie A defenders at Renzo Barbera.

His former employer Pietro Lo Monaco believes Silvestre has done enough to earn Italy call-up.

“I already advised Prandelli to select him while he was with us at Catania,” Lo Monaco told Radio Palermo.

“In my opinion, only Milan defender Thiago Silva is better than him right now in the Italian game. I think Prandelli has waited too long.”

Silvestre has been an ever-present for the Rosanero this season, having played every single minute in Serie A, and managed to score three goals in the process.

Sevilla’s Alexis joins Getafe

Sevilla have loaned defender Alexis Ruano Delgado to Getafe until the end of the season, los Rojiblancos have announced on their official website.

Getafe were allowed to complete the signing outside the transfer window after defenders Lopo and Rafa had been ruled out through injury.

The 26-year-old was presented to the press at Coliseum Alfonso Perez earlier today and he immediately joined his new teammates.

Alexis started his professional career at Malaga and joined Getafe in July 2006 for the fee of €2.5 million.

Los Azulones decided to cash in on the player after just one season, selling him to Valencia for €6 million a year later.

The centre-back spent three years at Mestalla before moving to Sevilla, where he failed to prove his potential.

After starting just one La Liga game this season, Alexis was given a chance to try and kick-start his career at Getafe.

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