Lippi leaves - 'Lotti in
Football Italia - March 1999
An era ends at Juventus. After nearly five years of unparalleled success, Marcello Lippi walked out of the club. His departure was expected. But the fact that it happened five months earlier than planned certainly wasn't. Carlo Ancelotti, due to take over the summer, was hastily installed and faced the immediate task of rebuilding morale before the club's Champions' Cup quest resumes.
The situation between Lippi and club had been increasingly strained since he announced his move to Inter next season, but both were prepared to soldier on. However, after another embarrassing display in a 4-2 home defeat by Parma on February 7, Lippi decided to call it a day. His reign, which brought in nine major trophies including three Serie A league titles, ended in unexpected acrimony. "Juventus do not deserve to finish the year like this. It is evident we have a problem. I have tried everything I could to motivate and help this team, but it is obvious that these players can no longer do what I know they can.
"This squad is fragile and unable to react. If the problem is Lippi, that ever since I announced my departure they can accept full responsibility, thank you and goodbye." And with that the most successful Italian Coach in recent years walked out of the room with tears welling up in his eyes.
Later that evening the Juventus President Chiusano announced that "with great regret" he had accepted the resignation - the first to hit the club in mid-season for 30 years - and that "this move has shown what a true professional Lippi is and has increased my respect for him." The fact it took the directors all of 45 minutes to accept the resignation shows that there was not as much regret as they would have you believe.
The following day came the announcement that Ancelotti would take over with immediate effect, ignoring protests from fans all over Italy that his dull style of play and lack of success at Parma made him a less than ideal replacement.
The new man has to change the fortunes of a team that had won only three games in the previous three months. The former Roma and AC Milan midfielder inherits a Juventus side embroiled in their worst season for 37 years, ninth in the championship, 15 points off the pace. They are out of the Italian Cup and Ancelotti has less than a month to sort them out before they tackled Greek side Olympiakos in the quarter-finals of the European Cup.
Ancelotti, 39, made his name as a player at Roma in the 1980s and was an integral part of the team who won their last Italian championship in 1983 and reached the European Cup final the following year. He then moved to Milan where he linked up with the man who would become his coaching mentor - Arrigo Sacchi.
When Sacchi left Milan to take charge of the national side, Ancelotti followed him and was his right hand man in the early 1990s. From there, he moved into coaching in his own right, guiding Reggiana up from Serie B in 1995-96 before moving into the big time with Parma. He took them into the Champions' League two years ago but was dismissed at the end of last season after the club failed to win a trophy. Like Sacchi - ironically, sacked by Atletico Madrid a week after his protege's appointment - he believes in strict 4-4-2 formation and tends to build teams based on work-rate rather than flair and gifted playmakers.
Answering criticism from many Juventus fans, he has appealed for a period of grace. "Let the fans judge me on my results," he pleaded. But he has a tough task following Lippi who guided Juventus to three League titles in his four-and-a-half seasons as well as three consecutive European Cup finals, an Italian Cup, two Italian Supercups, a European Supercup and one Intercontinetal Cup as well as a UEFA Cup final.
"I am proud that the club trusts me in such a manner," says Ancelotti. "I need to look at everything, roll up my sleeves and get down to some hard work. This team has problems, but I can't really tell you what these are until I've seen them at work for a few days." But he went on to try to allay fears of a revolution. "I will make adjustments," he said. "But the players need not worry."
The next problem was to answer the fierce protests of the Juventus tifosi against his appointment. After meeting representatives of the main fan clubs, they agreed to freeze their demonstrations while stll adamant they were against the move. So a nw era begins at Juventus. How long will the uneasy peace last?
What they said
Alex Del Piero : "I think Lippi's decision has suprised everyone, but it is a decision that has to be accepted. He will not have made this decision without the right motives."
Mark Iuliano : "It is a bad time for us all but what I can say is that the dressing room is totally united. Ancelotti will find a Juventus in difficulities but not withoug character. I do not believe in what Lippi said about us being fragile. The fans need to know that we are trying our best for them and the club."
Didier Deschamps : "I have no intention of being classed as the scapegoat in all that has happened. Before the Parma game i had a massive row with Lippi and said certain things right to his face. Nonetheless, I was disappointed with his resignation and I think it will take time before we can get back to anything like mormality."
