Ancelotti Comes Out Fighting Over Lippi Rumour
Wednesday 30th May 2001
Juventus coach Carlo Ancelotti has vowed to see out the remaining 12 months
on his contract after reports linked Marcello Lippi to his job. Ancelotti's
furious reaction came after Lippi turned down an offer to coach Barcelona
because of "a commitment in Italy".
Lippi, whose earlier spell at the Turin club saw him win three league titles
and the Champions' League, revealed on Tuesday that he had followed Arsene
Wenger and Fabio Capello in rejecting Barca.
"I'm really flattered by your interest but I have a commitment in Italy,"
Lippi told an official at the Catalan club.
His comments sparked speculation in Italy on Wednesday that the man who led
Internazionale at the start of this season is set to return to the Stadio
delle Alpi over the summer.
But Juventus coach Ancelotti was enraged by the stories and called reporters
together before training to storm: "The situation is really clear and I've
no reason to think that I'll not be in Turin next year.
"I signed a contract until June 30, 2002, so I'm not worried at all about
the gossip regarding Lippi.
"I know that the present season has been tormenting for Juventus and I
feared for my future immediately after we were knocked out of the Champions'
League. But the club renewed their trust in me.
"I repeat, I signed a contract earlier this year and these kind of rumours
mean nothing to me. It's amusing for me to look at the newspapers.
"I read that yesterday the 'Lawyer' [nickname for president Gianni Agnelli]
and the 'Doctor' [nickname for honorary president Umberto Agnelli] upset
your plans. "That's all," Ancelotti ended. "If you need some more
explanations you can ask the club."
When Ancelotti signed the new deal in February, it was reported that talks
about extending his contract for another 12 months would take place in the
summer.
His current deal will see him earn �750,000 next season, with lucrative
bonuses linked to attainment.
Winning the Champions' League would net Ancelotti �350,000, there is
�300,000 at stake if Juve win the title, a further �170,000 if Juventus
qualify for the Champions' League and the same amount again for lifting the
Coppa Italia.
