Football
Ben Gladwell, Italy correspondent 8y

Marcello Lippi reveals AC Milan approach and may return to China

Marcello Lippi has said he was on the brink of becoming AC Milan coach in January before a string of good results saved Sinisa Mihajlovic from the sack.

Lippi, 68, had already held talks with Milan general manager Adriano Galliani and was preparing for a return to coaching when the Rossoneri's results took a turn for the better.

"The contact was at such a stage that I had already gathered all of the staff I work with at my home and told them to get ready," the former Italy coach told Corriere Fiorentino.

"Then Milan beat Fiorentina 2-0 in their first game back after the winter break and went on a run of good results, and it all went up in smoke."

Mihajlovic remained until April, when Christian Brocchi was promoted from within and took charge until the end of the season.

Vincenzo Montella was appointed in the summer while Lippi was waiting to see whether he had a future as technical director with the Italian Football Association (FIGC) - timing that meant he missed the job again.

"They've tried to bring me to Milan three or four times before," the former Juventus coach said. "But I always said no. I had given them my availability this time, though."

Instead, Lippi said he would now consider returning to China, where he led Guangzhou Evergrande to three straight Super League titles between 2012 and 2014 but left because he wanted to be closer to Italy.

"Yes, it's true -- I am thinking about going back," he said. "Up to a few weeks ago, things looked different with the pre-contractual agreement I had with the FIGC, and you all know how that ended. I had a good time in China -- it was an exciting challenge."

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