Lippi Return Gets Agnelli Approval
Tuesday 5th June 2001
Juventus president Gianni Agnelli has hinted that coach Carlo Ancelotti will leave the club in the summer to make way for Marcello Lippi. Ancelotti responded by once again insisting he would see out the remaining year on his contract.
Agnelli was commenting for the first time about the specualtion surrounding Lippi. The former Internazionale boss was linked with a return to Stadio delle Alpi after turning down Barcelona because of "a commitment in Italy".
Agnelli said on Tuesday: "I've got very happy memories of Lippi and I don't dislike the idea of him coming back. Ancelotti? I'm always sad when somebody leaves Juventus after a good job."
His statement suggested that Ancelotti's departure and Lippi's arrival were a done deal - but then he added: "All gossip comes out to destabilise the club and all the gossip about Lippi has the same purpose. You journalists seem to be better informed than me."
Ancelotti repeated his denial that he was set to leave. "There is no problem at all and nothing has changed between me and the club. All this gossip comes only from the newspapers," he said.
"I take care of my small garden and there are only roses and flowers, not thorns and nettles. I've no reason to think that anything will happen differently from what we wrote on my contract.
"I'm on the same wavelength with the club's ideas about the transfer market," he said, before adding: "We never spoke about selling Filippo [Inzaghi]. Only Milan spoke about buying him."
This comment was seized upon by the Italian press, who have used it to suggest that Ancelotti has been ostracised from the decision-making process about key players for next season.
The Juventus board are reported to be split on who to appoint as coach next season - depsite handing Ancelotti a lucrative extension in February.
Vice-president Roberto Bettega, general manager Antonio Giraudo and sports director Luciano Moggi are at loggerheads as to whether Lippi, who flopped in an ill-fated spell at Internazionale this season, can repeat his success of the late 1990s in Turin.
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.
