Italy receive ranking boost Wednesday 12 July, 2006
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Italy’s victory at Germany 2006 has seen them jump up to second place in the FIFA World Rankings.
The Azzurri have moved up a staggering 11 places even if they remain behind leaders Brazil after their quarter-final exit to France.
The latter, beaten by the Azzurri in the World Cup Final, are now fourth after Argentina soared up six places to third.
The latest rankings were based on a new format by FIFA who are now opting to recognise the importance of the match and opposition strength among other criteria.
Top 10 [Position change in brackets]: 1 Brazil [-], 2 Italy [+11], 3 Argentina [+6], 4 France [+4], 5 England [+5], 6 Holland [-3], 7 Spain [-2], 8 Portugal [-1] 9, Germany [+10] 10, Czech Republic [-8].
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Lippi quits Italian job Wednesday 12 July, 2006
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Marcello Lippi has resigned as Italy Coach just days after winning the World Cup, the Italian Football Federation have confirmed.
Lippi was expected to reject the FIGC’s proposal of a new two-year deal and has today officially stepped down as boss.
“At the end of an extraordinary professional and human experience, at the helm of an exceptional group of players and with a staff of the highest quality, I consider my role as Coach of the Italian national side to have come to an end,” said Lippi in a statement.
“I’ve communicated my desire to leave my post to the Italian Football Federation at the natural conclusion of my contract.
“I thank the Federation for the faith shown in me over these two years of work which have culminated in a result that will live on in history and in the hearts of all Italian fans.”
The former Juventus maestro was handed the job two years ago when he replaced Giovanni Trapattoni in the Azzurri hotseat after a disastrous Euro 2004.
During that time, he has rejuvenated the side on the international stage and successfully led them to the World Cup on Sunday.
Lippis is believed to have already decided to quit before the Germany 2006 campaign kicked-off. It’s unclear what his future now holds even if he admitted recently that he aims to keep coaching.
During his 29 games in charge, Lippi won 18 [including the penalty win over France], drew nine and lost just twice – a 2-0 on his debut against Iceland and a 1-0 in Slovenia which both occurred in 2004.
So who next for Italy? At this stage of the proceedings there seem to be four leading candidates for the now vacant role.
Roberto Donadoni, sacked by Livorno last term, is an early favourite even if Alberto Zaccheroni, Under-21 boss Claudio Gentile and Gianluca Vialli are also options.
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FIGC expected Lippi decision Wednesday 12 July, 2006
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Italian Football Federation Vice-President Giancarlo Abete says he’s known for some weeks that Marcello Lippi would step down as Azzurri boss.
The tactician confirmed on Wednesday that he wouldn’t be renewing his contract, a decision which Abete expected.
“Marcello Lippi informed me during the group stages of the World Cup that he had not taken on any professional commitments for the future and that he had already decided, whatever the result of the World Cup, to leave as Coach of the national team at the end of his contract,” he said.
“He confirmed that decision to me during the day of Tuesday July 11,” the official added.
Abete, head of the Azzurri’s World Cup delegation, continued by thanking the former Juventus boss and praising the Federation for their decision to hire him.
“I would personally like to thank Lippi for his extraordinary professionalism and for his ability to lead the team in the context of the great difficulties known to all,” he added.
“This World Cup victory also gives great merit to the technical decisions which were made by the Federation in June 2004.”
მიმაგრებული სურათი
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იტალიური ფეხბურთის ბრიგადა, CAMPIONI DEL MONDO 2006
