Lippi Resignes As Italy Head Coach

[undertaker]

Marcello Lippi has resigned as Italy head coach just days after winning his country's fourth World Cup in Germany.

The former Juventus boss steps down after two years in the post, having succeeded Giovanni Trapattoni following Italy's abrupt exit from the Euro 2004 finals in Portugal.

His decision to leave his post with the Azzurri comes despite calls for him to remain in the position ahead of 2008 European Championship in Austria and Switzerland.

Lippi had made suggestions he would step down from the Italy hot-seat after being questioned by prosecutors regarding the corruption scandal currently plaguing the domestic game.

The 58-year-old leaves the post on the biggest of highs after taking the Italians to World Cup glory following the penalty shoot-out success over France in Berlin on Sunday.

Lippi, who has since been linked with a role at Premiership giants Manchester United, believed the time was right to walk away from his country's national team.

"After the conclusion of an extraordinary professional and human experience during my time guiding this group of players, I believe my role as coach of the national team is over," Lippi said in a statement on the Italian Football Federation (FIGC)'s official website.

"I have therefore announced to the FIGC my wish to leave the post as national coach when the contract expires.

"I would like to thank the FIGC for the trust they have given me in the last two years I have worked for them."

The news comes as Jurgen Klinsmann has also resigned from his role as Germany head coach on Wednesday.

[Teddy Rogers]

It would be good to see Marcello Lippi as manager at Manchester United and even more interesting to see what he can do there. He would be stepping in to a very high profile position and taking over the job from one of the greatest (if not the greatest) manager in footballing history, Sir Alex Ferguson. Not a small challenge!

Ted.