Deschamps Confirms Lippi Job
Thursday 14th June 2001
Marcello Lippi will replace Carlo Ancelotti as Juventus coach next season. The news was confirmed when Monaco coach Didier Deschamps revealed that Narciso Pezzotti turned down the chance to be Lippi's assistant coach in Turin to join the Principality side. Juventus star Antonio Conte is also close to joining the French club.
Lippi's return to the Stadio Delle Alpi has been the worst-kept secret in Italian football as the season builds up to a thrilling climax.
With one game to go, Roma, Juventus and Lazio could all win the Scudetto, though the Juventus hierarchy are anxious that talk of Ancelotti's successor does not destabilise the club lying just two points behind leaders Roma.
But Deschamps could have done just that when he admitted that Narciso Pezzotti rejected an offer from Marcello Lippi to join him at Juventus next season so confirming that Ancelotti will be replaced.
New Monaco boss Deschamps, who has also brought former Juventus and Chelsea fitness trainer Antonio Pintus to France, said: "My time at Juventus made a big impression on me. I'm a pure French product but I spent many years abroad, during which time Pintus and Pezzotti had a great influence on me.
"Pezzotti even refused to become Lippi's assistant coach at Juventus in order to join up with me. I met them in Turin, they know football very well and I needed them to join me.
"I will be in charge of the team and recruitment. As for the training sessions, I will be seconded by Narciso Pezzotti, Antonio Pintus and Jean-Luc Ettori, who will take care of the goalkeepers," he told Foot Transferts.
Former Internazionale boss Lippi was linked with a return to Juventus after turning down Barcelona because of "a commitment in Italy". And though Ancelotti has insisted that he will see out his new contract, which runs until the end of next season, president Gianni Agnelli suggested last week that there will be a coaching shake-up.
"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," he said.
When Ancelotti signed his 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 sees him earn �750,000 per season, with lucrative bonuses linked to achievement.
And Deschamps, who has been linked with signing Juventus' Ciro Ferrerra, Lens' Jose Pierre-Fanfan, Marseille's Zouamna Camara, will raid his former club to boost their midfield.
The coach said: "Monaco had one of the weakest defences in this season's championship and it's clear our efforts will be turned towards the defensive axis. The team needs to be modified to be competitive."
With this in mind, he has made Antonio Conte his top target and the former Italy international admitted he would be interested in moving. "Monaco would be a good solution for me," he said.
"I'm ready to join Didier in the Principality. He wants to be build a great team. Didier is a friend, we were team-mates. He has all the qualities to be a good coach. However, I also have options in Italy," he told Foot Transferts.
Despite being injured for most of this season, Conte is seen as a vital figure at Juventus. Tellingly, Ancelotti said of him: "Conte gives the team balance, which is important to me. While I'm the coach, Antonio Conte stays."
