Lippi wants Conte dynasty

Marcelo Lippi has advised Juventus coach Antonio Conte to ignore the rumoured interest of Tottenham Hotspur in his services.

Lippi, who guided Juve to five Serie A titles and Champions League success during his time at the club, wants Conte to stay in Turin and focus on beginning a new cycle of success at one of Italy’s traditional powerhouses.

Conte, who played under Lippi, has overseen an impressive transformation in Juve’s fortunes since taking over as coach in May 2011.

The former midfielder has turned a team which had finished seventh in each of the previous two seasons into realistic title challengers.

The 42-year-old is now being linked with English Premier League club Tottenham, who are expected to lose manager Harry Redknapp to the England national team at the end of the campaign.

“I’m not surprised by Tottenham sounding out Conte as there is always great interest in emerging coaches,” Lippi told Tuttosport.

“I myself received many important offers but when you see the possibility of opening a new cycle of success with Juventus, you cannot find anything better.”

Lippi also said he would like to see former charge Alessandro Del Piero finish his illustrious career with Juve.

The veteran forward is out of contract at the end of the season and has been linked with a lucrative move to Major League Soccer or the Middle East.

“I do not know if he (Del Piero) will finish his career with Juventus,” Lippi said.

“But I am sure that he will continue to play.”

Juve, unbeaten in Serie A this term, are second on the table, five points behind reigning champions AC Milan.