Italy name new boss as Spanish coach steps down

Marcello Lippi was appointed the new coach of Italy today.

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.

The Azzurri’s performance followed another poor showing at the 2002 World Cup.

Italy showed uninspiring form throughout and were knocked out by co-hosts South Korea at the second-round stage.

Lippi, the new man in charge, won five Serie A titles in two spells at Juventus between 1994 and 2004.

He also led the Bianconeri to the Champions League title in 1996, with Juve also losing finalists in that competition in 1997, 1998 and 2003.

Meanwhile, Inaki Saez has stepped down as coach of the Spanish national team following their first-round elimination from Euro 2004.

Saez offered his resignation after a meeting with the Spanish Federation (RFEF) today.

Saez said: “I have given the reasons for taking a decision which I will not go back on, which is to stop training the national side.”