Lippi takes over as Italy coach again, with aim of restoring pride from World Cup victory

A refreshed Marcello Lippi was presented as Italy's coach again Tuesday, less than two years after guiding the Azzurri to the World Cup title.

Lippi's most immediate task is to restore Italy's pride after the squad was eliminated by eventual champion Spain in the European Championship quarterfinals.

"Naturally, I'm very happy to pick up where I left off. But picking up where I left off also means that the Euros didn't go so great, or I would still be on the beach in Viareggio," the well-tanned Lippi said, referring to his hometown on the Tuscan seaside.

"We're still the World Cup champions, we've got the team that won the Club World Cup (AC Milan), we have a top under-23 squad and we are one of the favorites for the Olympics," Lippi added. "The world of Italian football should hold its head high."

Roberto Donadoni's contract was terminated last week, and Lippi was rehired a few hours later and given a two-year contract that will last through the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

"These last two years were not completely lost," Lippi said. "A large number of players from the World Cup stayed in the group, and Donadoni inserted some key new players."

However, Donadoni was criticized for designing an attack that was overly dependent on an out-of-form Luca Toni at Euro 2008. No forward scored during Italy's four-game run, and Donadoni was also attacked for playing too defensively against Spain, which won a penalty shootout following a dull 0-0 draw.

"We've got to show a bit of daring in certain situations, like in the semifinal with Germany, when I put four forwards on," Lippi said, recalling the 2-0 extra-time win in the World Cup semifinals. "We're going to try and show some aggressive football right away."

Lippi resigned immediately after leading Italy to its fourth World Cup title in Berlin, largely because he was uncomfortable that he and his son had been linked to the Italian match-fixing scandal.

"I would never have left if it wasn't in the middle of that situation," Lippi said. "It was very tough to see my name and family members linked to those things. At that time, it wasn't possible to continue. Now the situation is different, the discussion is open and we've gotten through that period."

Rejecting numerous job offers, Lippi spent the past two years traveling Italy and abroad to pick up awards. He also worked as an analyst for Italy's Sky TV.

"I received many offers, from many different countries, including for several national teams. But you can't coach your own country to a World Cup title and then go coach another country a year later," he said. "There were some very interesting proposals, but at a certain point, when the Euros approached, I felt a strong desire to return. ... I felt in debt to the federation in some manner and this is my way to repay that debt."

In 29 games as Italy's coach between 2004 and 2006, Lippi guided the Azzurri to 17 wins, 10 draws and two losses.

Lippi rejected the idea of trying to convince Francesco Totti and Alessandro Nesta to come out of international retirement.

"You've got to respect people's opinions, especially people as serious as those two," Lippi said, but added that he would suggest to players considering international retirement in the future to take a sabbatical instead, and leave open the option of returning if the team desperately needs them.

Besides the World Cup title, Lippi's resume includes five Serie A titles with Juventus, one Champions League victory, one Intercontinental Cup title, one Italian Cup and four Italian Super Cups.

Lippi's first game back in charge will be a friendly against Austria in Nice, France, on Aug. 20.

The Azzurri begin World Cup qualifying against Cyprus on Sept. 6, then face Georgia four days later. Bulgaria, Ireland and Montenegro are also in Italy's qualifying group.