Lippi new Italy boss

MARCELLO Lippi was appointed the new coach of Italy yesterday. He replaces Giovanni Trapattoni who failed to win a contract extension following the Azzurri’s disappointing first-round exit at Euro 2004.

Trapattoni, who had reached the end of his contract, pays the penalty for two failures at major tournaments since he took over from Dino Zoff after Euro 2000.

Italy claimed one win and two draws in Portugal this summer, but were eliminated by Sweden and Denmark on goal difference in Group C.