Lippi likes the port of Barcelona

"In Livorno you have the sea and a port? In Barcelona they also have one, and it's more modern since they just rebuilt it." This comment of former Italian national team coach Marcello Lippi (59) during a meeting with a local Livorno politician lead to speculation in Italy that the Italian manager could become the next Barcelona manager.

Lippi, who wants to return to the bench next season, also told he will only consider offers from club teams, since he doesn't want to take the risk of having to play against the players with whom he won the World Cup in 2006.


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Lining up Lippi
Lippi is in the race too
Guardiola or Laudrup

Guardiola or Laudrup

Catalan sports paper Sport claims that, with the Barcelona board having decided that they don't want a change in the style of the team, there are only two candidates left to replace current Barcelona manager Frank Rijkaard (45) as of next season: Barcelona B manager Josep Guardiola (37) and Getafe manager Michael Laudrup (43).

Josep María Casanovas, the founder of Sport, described the elimination process in his column yesterday as follows: "Van Basten fell off the list when he preferred to go to Ajax. Mourinho had the sympathy of some board members but was rejected because of his character and his way of playing. Benítez was just a passing rumour. Pellegrini has been closely analized but stays in the waiting room. Laurent Blanc, the manager of the moment in France, had some sympathy but little more. The name of Lippi was considered but was disapproved because the Italian Calcio style has never worked in the Liga. The possibility of bringing in a young Spanish manager, like Marcelino or Emery, wasn't supported by anyone."

At this moment Guardiola would have the most support in the board. Some board members nevertheless think that the former Barcelona defensive midfielder lacks some experience and that appointing him would therefore be a risk both for Barcelona and Guardiola. They prefer Laudrup who is having an excellent season with Getafe.

While Barcelona has not yet contacted Laudrup, who plays tonight the final of the Spanish cup with Getafe against Valencia, they would have asked Guardiola to make a report about how 'his' Barcelona would look like. Guardiola has already handed his report to Barcelona sports director Txiki Begiristain, who has spread it to the board.

( you can read the headlines of the report here )


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Everybody loves Michael

Lining up Lippi

Italian television channel Italia 1 claims that former Italian national team coach Marcello Lippi (59), who wants to return to the bench as of next season, would have two main options: Barcelona and Juventus (read more here).

Lippi would be a top candidate to replace current manager Frank Rijkaard in Barcelona, cause former Chelsea manager José Mourinho is not convincing everyone. Six-seven months ago, Lippi would have received the first indication of a Barcelona board member that an offer could be underway. The Italian manager would be very attracted by the idea to coach the team.

Lippi is in the race too

Catalan sports paper El Mundo Deportivo claims that former Italian national team coach Marcello Lippi (59) rejected offers from, amongst others, Newcastle United and the Irish Football Federation because he is, as Lippi is quoted, “waiting for Barcelona”. Since he quit after winning the World Cup with Italy in 2006, Lippi has always been seen as a possible substitute for current manger Frank Rijkaard, although his name has been staying in the shadow of names like Mourinho, Van Basten or Wenger.