Off the wire
• Getafe stunned by Quique resignation  • Chinese lawmakers discuss forthcoming parliamentary session  • Maltese ex-PM calls on two factions in Libya to unite  • Roundup: Thousands of South Koreans to suit Japanese firms for wartime exploitation  • Hand-washing dishes could reduce risk of allergies among children: study  • News analysis: Abe's statement on war anniversary crucial, but actions speak louder than words  • Matchdy 25 win of bust for Barca and Atletico Madrid  • Roundup: Uganda's central bank cautions on falling global oil prices  • Results of WCBA finals  • S. Africa to grant entry visas to business, diplomatic travellers from BRICS partners: minister  
You are here: 　 Home

(Sports Focus) Lippi resigns as coach of Guangzhou Evergrande (updated 1)

Xinhua, February 26, 2015 Adjust font size:

Marcello Lippi on Thursday resigned as the coach and the technical director of Chinese Super League (CSL) champions Guangzhou Evergrande, citing health and family considerations.

The World Cup-winning coach Lippi led Evergrande to three straight CSL titles, one Chinese Football Association (CFA) Cup crown and the AFC Champions League champion in 2013.

The club accepted his resignation on Thursday afternoon.

"Due to health and family reasons, Lippi recently applied for an early end to his contract. Through deliberation, the board of directors accepted his resignation," the club said in an official statement.

"Both sides agree that Lippi will no longer be the head coach of Evergrande from March 1, 2015," the statement added.

The club heaped praise on the 66-year-old Lippi, hailing him as "a great tactician, a gentleman and a huge contributor to Chinese soccer."

"World famous coach Lippi took the helm of Evergrande on May 17, 2012. Since then, he has got along very well with the club, working hard to build a strong and high-spirited squad for Guangzhou as well as for China," said the statement.

"Lippi opened a new era for Guangzhou and Chinese soccer. Under his guidance, Evergrande claimed the Chinese top-flight league in 2012, 2013 and 2014, won the CFA Cup in 2012, and made the history by taking the AFC Champions Legue title for the first time in 2013.

"As a world top class coach and a great tactician, Lippi has not only brought victories and champion's trophies to Guangzhou, but also made great contributions to the development of the Chinese soccer.

"A gentleman with a great personality, Lippi is also a football messenger and a beloved friend to hundreds of millions of Chinese fans."

Liu Yongzhuo, vice president of the Evergrande Group, revealed that the club has suggested the Guangzhou municipal government that Lippi be given honorary citizenship.

Lippi steered Italy to World Cup triumph in 2006 but could not repeat that feat in his second spell in charge as the Azzurri was eliminated in the group stage four years later.

He also won the Champions League and five Serie A titles in two spells with Juventus.

Italian Fabio Cannavaro, 41, former world player of the year and a World Cup winner, will take the rein of Evergrande. Endi