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Marcello LippiItalian football coach, former defender
Date of Birth: 11.04.1948
Country:  Italy |
Content:
- Marcello Lippi: A Legendary Italian Footballer and Manager
- Player Profile
- Coaching Beginnings
- A Rising Star
- Success with Cesena and Novara
- Departure from Cesena
- Conflicts with Players
- The Panucci Incident
- Controversies and Assertions
Marcello Lippi: A Legendary Italian Footballer and Manager
Early Football CareerMarcello Lippi's footballing journey began in 1969 with Sampdoria, where he played as a sweeper. After a brief stint with Savona, he returned to Sampdoria and spent the next 10 seasons as a mainstay in their defense.
Player Profile
Lippi represented the Italian Under-23 national team twice and ended his playing career with Pistoiese in 1982. Throughout his career, he was renowned for his strong defensive abilities and leadership skills.
Coaching Beginnings
From Player to MentorImmediately after his retirement, Lippi embarked on a coaching career, initially leading Sampdoria's youth team. In 1985, he took charge of Serie C2 club Pontedera. The following season, he joined Siena but was dismissed due to fan protests.
A Rising Star
Lippi's breakthrough came in 1988/89 when he guided Carrarese to promotion to Serie B. This success caught the attention of Serie A club Cesena, where Lippi spent the next two seasons.
Success with Cesena and Novara
Avoiding Relegation and Drawing ComparisonsIn his first season with Cesena, Lippi successfully kept the club in Serie A, earning the nickname "Paul Newman" from the team's supporters due to his resemblance to the famous American actor. However, Cesena was relegated the following season, resulting in Lippi's dismissal.
Departure from Cesena
In 1991, Lippi took over at Lucchese, leading them to an eighth-place finish in Serie B. He then moved to Atalanta, where he secured a respectable seventh place in Serie A.
Conflicts with Players
Notable DisputesLippi frequently clashed with players throughout his career. One of the most famous conflicts involved Roberto Baggio, who was sidelined by Alessandro Del Piero in 1994/95. Other notable disputes included those with Christian Panucci and Marco Di Vaio.
The Panucci Incident
Despite Panucci being considered a stronger player, Lippi refused to include him in Italy's 2006 World Cup squad due to an earlier conflict. This incident raised questions about Lippi's player selection criteria.
Controversies and Assertions
Lippi's relationship with Antonio Cassano also sparked controversy, with Cassano claiming he would not be called up to the national team while Lippi was in charge.
