Lippi tight-lipped over future

(GSM) – Marcello Lippi has again refused to comment on whether he will continue as Italy manager after the World Cup. The Italian manager is thought to be considering stepping-down as manager of his football national team after the tournament ends in the second week of July.

Lippi is optimistic of his team’s chances to defend their title but does not want to talk about his future.

“There’s no reason to know now who the coach will be on 12th July (the day after the World Cup final),” he said.

“There’s a World Cup at our door, in this competition Italy has always been a part of its history given that we’ve won four titles and are second only to Brazil, which is the quintessential football country and has won five.

“And if we’d have had a bit more luck in the penalty shoot-out in 1994 it would be Italy which has five titles.

“The key is to create a group of players with a high technical level but also the right psychology.

“Everyone has to be ready to put himself at the service of the others, that’s the only way to get results.