Fans Divided as Lippi Close to Return as Chinese Team Coach

Date: 30 April 2019 - 21:20

News ID: ۶۵۴۰۷

GUANGZHOU (Xinhua) - Italian coach Marcello Lippi was close to start his second spell as China's national soccer team coach, sources told Xinhua on Tuesday.
The source said the "four-year deal was almost done" and China set a target for Lippi to qualify for the 2022 World Cup.
"Lippi was in Guangzhou on Monday and he had talks with the officials from China," A source close to Lippi told Xinhua.
"The negotiation went smoothly and the two sides almost reached agreement despite a few details," the source said.
China's national futsal team player Guan Zhichao posted a photo on his social account with the 71-year-old on Monday at the International departure terminal of Guangzhou Baiyun airport.
Lippi then was leaving for Italy after the negotiation.
Lippi's first spell with China's national team started in November 2016 and ended in this January following his side's 3-0 defeat to Iran in the Asian Cup quarterfinals. The Italian guided Team China to 10 wins and nine draws in 30 matches.
Another Italian Fabio Cannavaro quitted the coaching spot of China's national soccer team on Sunday. The current Guangzhou Evergrande coach took over Chinese team last month and lost two matches against Thailand and Uzbekistan in China Cup.
Chinese fans were divided on Lippi's possible return. Some believe the Italian could lead China into the World Cup, but others said Chinese Football Association had made another wrong decision.
***********Marcello Lippi, newly-appointed head coach of the Chinese national football team, attends the CFA Team China press conference in Beijing, China, Oct 28, 2016.