Marcello Lippi

File:Marcello Lippi at Sampdoria, 1972.jpg

Born in Viareggio, in northern Tuscany, Lippi began his professional career as a defender in 1969, in the role of sweeper. He spent most of his playing years with Sampdoria, where he played consecutively from 1969 to 1978, except for a year on loan at Savona. In 1979, he joined Pistoiese, being part of the Arancioni{{'}}s promotion to Serie A. He finished his playing career with Lucchese.

Lippi retired from active football in 1982, at the age of 34, to pursue a coaching career. Despite never having played for Italy at senior level, Lippi gained experience playing in his country's top flight as a central defender for Sampdoria. His rise to the top of the managerial tree also began at the Genoese club, where he started as a youth-team coach. After various stints in Italy's lower divisions, he became a head coach in Serie A in 1989 with Cesena. Lippi then moved on to Lucchese and Atalanta. The turning point for Lippi came in the 1993–94 season when he led Napoli to a place in the UEFA Cup.

With his success at Napoli, Lippi became a managerial target for the top Serie A clubs, with Juventus ultimately winning the race to secure his services. He won the Serie A title and the Coppa Italia in his first season at the club, also reaching the 1995 UEFA Cup final, with a team that included players who would play an important role in the club's future successes, including Gianluca Vialli, Fabrizio Ravanelli, Roberto Baggio, Alessandro Del Piero, Angelo Peruzzi, Angelo Di Livio, Moreno Torricelli, Didier Deschamps, Paulo Sousa, Antonio Conte, Alessio Tacchinardi and Giancarlo Marocchi, as well as Ciro Ferrara, a player Lippi had previously coached at Napoli and who later acted as his assistant with the Azzurri. He made the team less dependent on the individual plays of Baggio, and also helped Vialli and Ravanelli rediscover their goalscoring form, in addition to introducing a young Del Piero into the starting line-up in a 4–3–3 formation, following Baggio's injury.{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/europeran-football-bergkamp-ban-lifted-1440286.html|title=Europeran Football: Bergkamp ban lifted|newspaper=The Independent|date=22 October 2011|access-date=8 November 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/champions_league/2935372.stm|title=Alessandro the Great|publisher=BBC|author1=Nada Grkinic|date=26 May 2003|access-date=8 November 2015}}{{cite news |last1=Gates |first1=Emmet |title=When Marcello Lippi joined Juventus and knocked Milan off their perch |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/the-gentleman-ultra/2018/apr/12/juventus-marcello-lippi-scudetto-italy-serie-a-milan |access-date=21 March 2024 |work=The Guardian |date=12 April 2018}} The following season, Lippi guided Juventus to 1995 Supercoppa Italiana and the 1995–96 UEFA Champions League titles. With the arrival of several new key players which included Zinedine Zidane, Edgar Davids, Filippo Inzaghi, Mark Iuliano, Paolo Montero and Igor Tudor, these victories were followed by consecutive league titles, the 1996 UEFA Super Cup, the 1996 Intercontinental Cup and the 1997 Supercoppa Italiana, as well as two more consecutive Champions League finals and another semi-final.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/pig-cannot-coach-go-away-ancelotti-abuse-failure-and-dismay-carlo-juventus#:vFhh8-sodja0hA|title="A pig cannot coach. Go away, Ancelotti": Abuse, failure and dismay for Carlo at Juventus|magazine=FourFourTwo|author1=Greg Lea|date=5 May 2015|access-date=10 June 2016}}

After five highly successful seasons at Juventus, Lippi moved to Inter Milan in 1999, leading the club to a fourth-place finish in the league and the 2000 Coppa Italia final, though he was sacked after suffering a disappointing defeat in the first match-day of the 2000–01 Serie A season; having previously also received significant criticism due to his poor results in his previous season with the Nerazzurri, and after Inter were eliminated from the 2000–01 UEFA Champions League in the third qualifying round by Swedish underdogs Helsingborg without managing to score a goal over the two legs.

Following the sacking of Carlo Ancelotti, Lippi was subsequently re-appointed as Juventus' head coach for the 2001–02 season. Following the departure of Inzaghi to Milan and Zidane to Real Madrid for a world record fee, the club acquired Pavel Nedvěd, Gianluigi Buffon and Lilian Thuram to reinforce its line-up,{{cite web|url=http://www.espnfc.us/uefa-champions-league/2/blog/post/2431176/carlo-ancelotti-juventus-reunion-not-a-fond-one|title=Real Madrid vs Juventus a reminder of Carlo Ancelotti's tough time in Turin|publisher=ESPN FC|author1=James Horncastle|date=4 May 2015|access-date=10 June 2016}} and managed to win two further scudetti under Lippi, as he also led the bianconeri to consecutive Supercoppa Italiana titles and two Coppa Italia finals, as well as the 2003 UEFA Champions League final held at Old Trafford; Juventus lost out to Milan in a penalty shootout, however, after both the teams failed to score during regulation and extra time.{{cite web|url=http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/season=2002/overview/index.html#200203+shevchenko+spot+milan|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111113172043/http://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/season=2002/overview/index.html#200203+shevchenko+spot+milan|url-status=dead|archive-date=13 November 2011|title=2002/03: Shevchenko spot on for Milan|publisher=UEFA|date=28 May 2003}}

In March 2007, Lippi managed a Europe XI team who played Manchester United in a UEFA Celebration Match, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Rome and the 50th year of Manchester United's participation in European competitions. His team lost 4–3 at Old Trafford.

File:Lippi nelspruit.jpg

Lippi was appointed head of the Italy national team in July 2004, following a disappointing UEFA Euro 2004 campaign under Giovanni Trapattoni. The Azzurri secured their passage to the FIFA World Cup finals with relative ease and subsequent victories, such as the 3–1 victory over the Netherlands and a 4–1 win over Germany in friendly matches, which raised expectations considerably. During the late weeks of the 2005–06 season Lippi was under scrutiny surrounding the 2006 Serie A scandal (Calciopoli); blamed because of his long-standing ties and previous history with Juventus, and pressured to step down as Italy coach.{{cite news|title=Lippi the latest to be sucked into crisis|url=http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,,1779716,00.html|first=Kevin|last=Buckley|newspaper=The Guardian|date=21 May 2006|access-date=27 June 2006}}

Throughout the 2006 World Cup, Lippi was praised for rotating several players (fielding 21) and adopting several tactical systems that allowed his two star playmakers, Francesco Totti and Andrea Pirlo, to play alongside each other and contribute to Italy's offensive play, assisting many of the team's goals,{{cite web|url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1608708-andrea-pirlo-where-does-he-rank-among-the-best-italian-midfielders-ever|title=Andrea Pirlo: Where Does He Rank Among the Best Italian Midfielders Ever?|website=Bleacher Report|access-date=13 January 2015}} eventually settling on a 4–2–3–1 formation. In Lippi's formation, Totti occupied the advanced creative role behind the main forward, in particular target-man Luca Toni, while Pirlo was deployed in the deep-lying playmaking role; the two players were supported defensively by hard-working box-to-box midfielders, such as Daniele De Rossi, Gennaro Gattuso, Simone Perrotta and Simone Barone, as well as winger Mauro Camoranesi, and attacking full-backs Gianluca Zambrotta and Fabio Grosso, who were expected to push up the flanks.{{cite news|url=http://www.repubblica.it/2006/06/speciale/altri/2006mondialipartite/finale-mondiale/finale-mondiale.html|title=L'Italia è Campione del mondo Francia ko dopo i calci di rigore|newspaper=La Repubblica|language=it|access-date=13 January 2015}}{{cite news|title=TUTTO VERO! CAMPIONI DEL MONDO |url=https://issuu.com/shepard052/docs/gazzettadellosport|newspaper=La Gazzetta dello Sport|author=Antonello Capone|date=10 July 2006|language=it}}{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2006/jul/10/worldcup2006.sport2|title=Totti fails the final test and leaves a tattered international reputation|newspaper=The Guardian|access-date=13 January 2015}}{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2006/5158692.stm |title=Tactical analysis on Italy v France |work=BBC Sport |date=7 July 2006 |access-date=25 October 2019 }} The Pirlo-Gattuso partnership in Italy's midfield, in particular, proved to be extremely effective, as Lippi led Italy all the way to the final of the tournament, where they beat France 5–3 in a penalty shoot-out after a 1–1 draw.{{cite news|url=https://issuu.com/shepard052/docs/gazzettadellosport|title=TUTTO VERO! CAMPIONI DEL MONDO|author=Antonello Capone|date=10 July 2006|newspaper=La Gazzetta dello Sport|language=it}} While the team was praised for adopting a more offensive approach than Lippi's predecessors, which saw a World Cup record of ten of the team's 23 players score, with the squad netting 12 goals in total, the team also stood out for its defensive stability. Led by captain and eventual 2006 Ballon d'Or winner Fabio Cannavaro, Italy's back-line and goalkeeper – Gianluigi Buffon – only conceded two goals throughout the tournament, of which only one (an own goal) occurred in open play.{{cite news|title=TUTTO VERO! CAMPIONI DEL MONDO |url=https://issuu.com/shepard052/docs/gazzettadellosport|newspaper=La Gazzetta dello Sport|page=5|author=Antonello Capone|date=10 July 2006|language=it}}{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/italy-of-06-in-numbers-2804406 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180520025030/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/italy-of-06-in-numbers-2804406 |url-status=dead |archive-date=20 May 2018 |title=Italy of '06 in numbers |publisher=FIFA.com |date=1 July 2016 |access-date=24 February 2020 }}{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/italy-conquer-the-world-germany-wins-friends-527968 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180514185040/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/italy-conquer-the-world-germany-wins-friends-527968 |url-status=dead |archive-date=14 May 2018 |title=Italy conquer the world as Germany wins friends |publisher=FIFA.com |date=28 May 2007 |access-date=24 February 2020 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.blitzquotidiano.it/sport/italia-2006-campioni-del-mondo-grosso-jolly-cannavaro-buffon-voto-simpatia-75-1883864/|title=Home Sport Italia 2006: campioni del mondo. Grosso jolly, Cannavaro e Buffon muro: voto simpatia 7,5|publisher=BlitzQuotidiano.it|language=it|author1=Antonio Sansonetti|date=6 June 2014|access-date=3 July 2016}}

After winning the World Cup, Lippi stated that this was his "most satisfying moment as a coach", even after winning the Intercontinental Cup and the UEFA Champions League with Juventus.{{cite web| url=http://www.tiscali.co.uk/news/newswire.php/news/reuters/2006/07/10/sport/my-most-satisfying-moment-lippi.html| title=My most satisfying moment – Lippi| date=10 July 2006| access-date=9 August 2008| publisher=Tiscali News| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090204184842/http://www.tiscali.co.uk/news/newswire.php/news/reuters/2006/07/10/sport/my-most-satisfying-moment-lippi.html| archive-date=4 February 2009| df=dmy-all}} Three days after the final, Lippi did not renew his expiring contract with the Italian Football Federation (FIGC), and left his office as coach of Italy. He was succeeded by Roberto Donadoni.{{cite web| url=http://www.repubblica.it/2006/07/sezioni/sport/calcio/donadoni-nuovo-ct/donadoni-nuovo-ct/donadoni-nuovo-ct.html| title=Nazionale, scelto l'erede di Lippi Donadoni è il nuovo ct degli azzurri| language=it| publisher=La Repubblica Sport| date=13 July 2006| access-date=9 August 2008}} Following his stint as Italy's manager, Lippi served as a commentator for 2007–08 UEFA Champions League matches for Sky Sport.{{cite news |url=https://www.corriere.it/Primo_Piano/Sport/2007/08_Agosto/23/campionato_programma_televisione.html |title=Calcio in tv: l'anno di Lippi, Sacchi e Capello |work=Il Corriere della Sera |language=Italian|date=24 August 2007 |access-date=11 August 2021 }}

Under the management of Donadoni, Italy was eliminated at UEFA Euro 2008 at the quarter-final stage by Spain on penalties, prompting Donadoni's dismissal. On 26 June 2008, Lippi was re-appointed as coach of Italy. Italy took part in the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup under Lippi, where they suffered a first-round elimination following a 3–0 loss to Brazil in their final group match.{{cite news |url=http://www.tuttosport.com/calcio/confederations_cup/2009/06/21-31531/Il+Brasile+vince+3-0%3A+Italia+travolta+ed+eliminata |title=Il Brasile vince 3-0: Italia travolta ed eliminata - Confederations Cup |work=Tutto Sport |language=Italian|date=21 June 2009 |access-date=11 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141229030001/http://www.tuttosport.com/calcio/confederations_cup/2009/06/21-31531/Il+Brasile+vince+3-0%3A+Italia+travolta+ed+eliminata |url-status=dead |archive-date=29 December 2014 }} Later that same year, Italy qualified for the 2010 World Cup with two games to spare following a 2–2 away draw against Ireland on 10 October.{{cite news |url=https://www.gazzetta.it/Calcio/Nazionale/10-10-2009/irlanda-italia-tempo-reale-501573321130.shtml |title=Risultato finale: Irlanda-Italia 2-2 |work=La Gazzetta dello Sport |language=Italian|date=10 October 2009 |access-date=11 August 2021 }}

For the 2010 World Cup, Lippi selected mostly veterans of the victorious 2006 squad, controversially omitting younger players such as Mario Balotelli and Giuseppe Rossi, in addition to notable players such as Antonio Cassano.{{cite news |title=Lippi riprova con un altro Rossi Ecco i 30 azzurri premondiali |url=https://www.gazzetta.it/Speciali/Mondiale_2010/18-05-2010/lippi-riprova-un-altro-rossi-604039072221.shtml |access-date=10 June 2024 |work=La Gazzetta dello Sport |date=11 May 2010 |language=it}}{{cite news |title=Rossi left out of Italy Cup squad |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/world_cup_2010/8675667.stm |access-date=10 June 2024 |work=BBC Sport |date=1 June 2010}}{{cite web |title=I 23 Azzurri per il Sudafrica |url=https://it.uefa.com/european-qualifiers/news/01e6-0f85f465b82a-a2de80f5264c-1000--i-23-azzurri-per-il-sudafrica/ |publisher=UEFA |access-date=10 June 2024 |language=it |date=1 June 2010}} Italy's performance at the 2010 World Cup was extremely poor, drawing 1–1 with both Paraguay and New Zealand before losing 3–2 to Slovakia and finishing bottom of the group.{{cite news |url=https://www.gazzetta.it/Speciali/Mondiale_2010/Squadre/20-06-2010/italia-continua-deludere-71159800681.shtml |title=L'Italia continua a deludere Solo 1-1 con la Nuova Zelanda |work=La Gazzetta dello Sport |language=it |last1=Pratesi |first1=Riccardo |date=20 June 2010 |access-date=10 June 2024 }}{{cite web|url = https://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/jun/24/world-cup-2010-marcello-lippi-italy-responsibility|title=Marcello Lippi accepts responsibility for Italy exit|work=Guardian|author=Paul Wilson|date=25 June 2010|access-date=20 November 2013}} Lippi resigned after the Slovakia defeat, and was succeeded by Cesare Prandelli.{{cite news |url=https://www.gazzetta.it/Speciali/Mondiale_2010/Squadre/25-06-2010/abete-dobbiamo-ripartire-71218783840.shtml |title=Abete: "Dobbiamo ripartire Lippi? Non rinnego la scelta" |work=La Gazzetta dello Sport |language=Italian|date=25 June 2010 |access-date=11 August 2021 }}{{cite news |url=http://www1.lastampa.it/sport/cmsSezioni/quiazzurri/201006articoli/27723girata.asp |title=Fallimento sudafricano di Lippi, la pagina più nera del nostro calcio |work=La Stampa |language=Italian |last1=Beccantini |first1=Roberto |date=25 June 2010 |access-date=11 August 2021 }} Lippi was also criticised by pundits for playing several players out of position in a 4–2–3–1 formation that he had not used in the lead-up to the tournament.{{cite web |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/410179-world-cup-2010-italy-on-the-brink-of-disaster |title=FIFA World Cup 2010: Italy on the Brink of Disaster |publisher=Bleacher Report |last1=Hazra |first1=Marzia |date=23 June 2010 |access-date=10 June 2024 }}

File:Lippi at GZ Bookcenter.jpg

On 17 May 2012, Chinese Super League side Guangzhou Evergrande announced that they had officially signed Lippi on a two-and-a-half-year deal worth around €30 million, replacing Korean manager Lee Jang-soo.{{cite web|url=http://www.gzevergrandefc.com/show_content.php?id=4054 |title=关于聘任马塞洛•里皮担任广州恒大足球队主教练的公告 |date=17 May 2012 |access-date=17 May 2012 |publisher=Guangzhou Evergrande official website }}{{dead link|date=June 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Lippi's first official game in China came three days later on 20 May, in a 1–0 home victory against Qingdao Jonoon. He achieved a double in his first season at the club by winning the league and domestic cup titles. In his second season, on 2 October 2013, Lippi led his side to the 2013 AFC Champions League final for the first time in the club's history. Four days later, on 6 October, he led Guangzhou Evergrande to win their third consecutive Chinese Super League title by beating Shandong Luneng Taishan 4–2 away. In the final of the 2013 AFC Champions League, his side defeated FC Seoul to win the club's first Asian title, the first continental title for a Chinese club for 23 years.{{cite web|url = https://www.fifa.com/clubworldcup/news/newsid=2221334/|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131202232737/http://www.fifa.com/clubworldcup/news/newsid=2221334/|url-status = dead|archive-date = 2 December 2013|title=Evergrande win final, reach Club World Cup|date=9 November 2013|work=FIFA.com|access-date=20 November 2013}}{{cite web|url = http://espnfc.com/blog/_/name/espnfcunited/id/10510?cc=5739|title=Asian glory for Ever-grande Lippi|date=10 November 2013|work=ESPN|access-date=20 November 2013}} Guangzhou Evergrande, however, was later defeated in the two-legged final by Guizhou Moutai in the Chinese FA Cup, hence unable to become the first Chinese club to achieve a continental treble. Later that year, Lippi also led the club to a fourth-place finish in the 2013 FIFA Club World Cup. On 28 February 2014, Guangzhou Evergrande announced that they had officially extended Lippi's contract on a three-year deal, keeping him at the club until 2017.{{cite web|url = http://www.gzevergrandefc.com/news.aspx?ftid=7140|title=里皮教练团队正式续约广州恒大足球俱乐部|date=28 February 2014}} On 2 November 2014, Lippi publicly declared that he had retired from coaching after having guided Guangzhou Evergrande to their fourth successive league title. He continued with Guangzhou as the director of football. However, he resigned from the club on 26 February 2015.{{cite web|url = http://sports.qq.com/a/20150226/050998.htm|title=恒大官方宣布里皮辞职 辞去主帅一职彻底告别|date=26 February 2015}}

On 22 October 2016, Lippi, was appointed manager of the China national team.{{cite web|language=zh|url=http://www.fa.org.cn/news/china/2016-10-22/514105.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161022221232/http://www.fa.org.cn/news/china/2016-10-22/514105.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=22 October 2016|title=马塞洛·里皮就任中国男足国家队主教练|date=22 October 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://www.tuttomercatoweb.com/resto-del-mondo/ufficiale-cina-lippi-e-il-nuovo-commissario-tecnico-892734|title=Cina, Lippi è il nuovo commissario tecnico|date=22 October 2016|language=it}}{{cite web|url=http://www.football-italia.net/93282/official-lippi-new-china-coach|title=Official: Lippi new China coach|publisher=Football Italia|date=22 October 2016|access-date=22 October 2016}} He made his debut in a 0–0 draw against Qatar valid for the 2018 World Cup qualification.{{cite web|url=http://www.gazzetta.it/Calcio/15-11-2016/cina-esordio-amaro-lippi-solo-0-0-contro-qatar-170865494600.shtml|title=Cina, esordio amaro per Lippi: solo 0-0 contro il Qatar|date=15 November 2016|language=it}} Lippi led the side during the final stage of the 2019 AFC Asian Cup, where China won 2–1 over Kyrgyzstan and 3–0 against Philippines, before losing 2–0 to group leaders South Korea on 16 January.{{Cite web|url=https://en.as.com/en/2019/01/16/football/1547641500_355620.html|title=South Korea lay down Asian Cup marker with Son to the fore|date=24 January 2019}} China then beat Thailand 2–1 to earn a place in the quarter-finals, where the Chinese team was knocked out by Iran after a 3–0 defeat on 24 January; Lippi subsequently confirmed his departure as head coach.{{cite news|url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/lippi-bows-out-as-iran-send-hapless-china-packing-from-the-asian-cup-20190125-p50tjk.html|title=Lippi bows out as Iran send hapless China packing from the Asian Cup|newspaper=smh.com.au|date=25 January 2019}}{{cite web|url=https://www.football-italia.net/133738/official-lippi-leaves-china|title=Official: Lippi leaves China|publisher=Football Italia|date=25 January 2019}}

On 24 May 2019, Marcello Lippi was re-appointed as head coach of China, replacing compatriot Fabio Cannavaro after his brief tenure.{{cite web|url=http://www.thecfa.cn/xhxw/20190524/27220.html|title=里皮出任中国国家男子足球队主教练|date=24 May 2019}}{{cite web|url=https://www.football-italia.net/138422/official-lippi-returns-china|title=Official: Lippi returns to China|publisher=Football Italia|date=24 May 2019}} He resigned for the second time that year on 15 November, following a 2–1 defeat to Syria.{{cite web |last1=Ma |first1=Dexing |title=1年内第2次发布会上里皮直接宣布辞职 真带不动？ |url=http://www.titan24.com/publish/app/data/2019/11/15/283672/os_news.html |website=Titan24.com |access-date=14 November 2019|language=zh}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/lippi-resigns-china-lose-first-world-cup-qualifier/|title=Lippi resigns after China lose first World Cup qualifier - Sportsnet.ca|website=www.sportsnet.ca|access-date=2019-11-14}}

On 22 October 2020, Lippi announced his retirement from coaching.{{cite web|url=https://www.football-italia.net/160926/lippi-im-done-coaching|title=Lippi: 'I'm done coaching'|publisher=Football Italia|date=22 October 2020}}

File:Marcello Lippi by Martina De Siervo - International Journalism Festival 2010.jpg in Perugia]]

In his book Il Gioco delle Idee: Pensieri e Passioni da Bordo Campo ("A Game of Ideas: Thoughts and Passions from the Sidelines"),{{cite book |last1=Lippi |first1=Marcello |title=Il gioco delle idee: pensieri e passioni a bordo campo |date=2008 |publisher=Editrice San Raffaele |isbn=978-88-86270-71-7 |pages=102 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yGhQOAAACAAJ |access-date=2 April 2019 |language=it}} Lippi outlined his coaching philosophy. He emphasizes the importance of team spirit and unity. He likens a psychologically well integrated team to the functioning of a psychologically healthy family. On the strategic aspect of coaching, he emphasizes the importance of mutual relations between players. Players must all follow the same plan and play for each other, "not" for themselves. Lippi argues that "a group of the best players do not necessarily make for the best team". What is more important, he argues, is that the tactical plan or formation is one that allows each player to maximize (1) his utility for his teammates and (2) the expression of his full potential. Lippi also sat the choice of tactical formation is constrained by the qualities of the team's players. Thus selecting the best possible team not only requires finding the right combination of players for the chosen formation, but also finding the right formation for the chosen players.

Regarded as one of the best and most successful managers of all time, in 2013, James Horncastle, while writing for ESPN, described Lippi has a coaching style and tactical prowess with the following words: "[His] coaching education is broader than most. He worked before, during and after the revolution brought by Arrigo Sacchi. So think of him as a bridge between the old gioco all’italiana and the new, a blend of the traditional and the modern. His teams knew how to man-mark and to play zone. They invited opponents onto them and counterattacked but could also take the game to whoever they were playing and press them in their half of the pitch. Balance was everything. Lippi's starting XIs were never fixed. They were always in discussion and would be adapted according to the opposition." In the early part of his managerial career, Salvatore Lo Presti noted that Lippi was known for implementing an energetic and offensive style, which used a zonal marking system in defence;{{cite web |url=https://www.treccani.it/enciclopedia/marcello-lippi_(Enciclopedia-dello-Sport)/ |title=LIPPI, Marcello - Treccani |publisher=Treccani: Enciclopedia dello Sport |language=it |last1=Lo Presti |first1=Salvatore |access-date=22 April 2024 }} throughout his time at Juventus, he frequently used a high defensive line and the offside trap, with Peruzzi and subsequently Buffon acting as sweeper-keepers,{{cite news |url=http://archiviostorico.gazzetta.it//1997/maggio/08/Peruzzi_Juve_nelle_mani_ga_0_9705081668.shtml |title=Peruzzi ha la Juve nelle mani |work=La Gazzetta dello Sport |language=it |last1=Salvatore |first1=Lo Presti |date=8 May 1997 |access-date=23 May 2024 }}{{cite web |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/0197-0e6abba581b1-81fc0fce90b0-1000--solid-juventus-seal-progress/ |title=Solid Juventus seal progress |publisher=UEFA |language=en |date=5 November 2003 |access-date=23 May 2024 }} while he used heavy pressing off the ball, with the team's forwards being the first line of defence, putting pressure on their opponents.{{cite web |url=https://it.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/023a-0e974070dea6-38b95124d535-1000--l-era-lippi-la-juve-piu-forte-di-sempre/ |title=L'era Lippi: la Juve più forte di sempre? |publisher=UEFA |language=it |date=15 June 2017 |access-date=23 May 2024 }}{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/37453418/heysel-motivated-juventus-win-1996-ucl-trophy |title=Vialli: Heysel motivated Juventus to win UCL |work=ESPN.com |language=en |date=3 August 2016 |access-date=23 May 2024 }}{{cite web |url=https://thesefootballtimes.co/2016/04/14/marcello-lippi-the-man-who-conquered-football/ |title=Marcello Lippi: the man who conquered football with a cigar in his mouth |publisher=These Football Times |last1=Gault |first1=Matt |date=14 April 2016 |access-date=23 May 2024 }}

Lippi was also noted for his versatility as a manager. In 2017, Nicky Bandini also noted in an article for FourFourTwo that Lippi switched from his initial 4–3–3 system to a 4–4–2 formation to better accommodate the arrival of French offensive playmaker Zinedine Zidane at Juventus during the 1996–97 season; he was ultimately given licence to operate in a free role between the lines.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/year-zero-making-zinedine-zidane-juventus-199697?page=0%2C1 |title=Year Zero: The making of Zinedine Zidane (Juventus, 1996/97) |magazine=FourFourTwo |last1=Bandini |first1=Nicky |date=3 May 2017 |access-date=25 October 2019 |archive-date=25 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191025075917/https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/year-zero-making-zinedine-zidane-juventus-199697%3Fpage%3D0,1 |url-status=dead }} Lippi also went on to use the 4–3–1–2 and 3–4–1–2 formations to better suit Zidane's playing style;{{cite news |url=https://theathletic.com/1725884/2020/04/09/real-madrid-juventus-zinedine-zidane-lippi/ |title=Zidane's time playing for Juventus is what defines him as Real Madrid manager |work=The Athletic |last1=Corrigan |first1=Dermot |last2=Cox |first2=Michael |date=9 April 2020 |access-date=8 August 2021 }}{{cite web |url=https://sport.sky.it/calcio/serie-a/2020/09/14/serie-a-formazioni-squadre-scudetto#08 |title=Riparte la A, ricordi le formazioni degli ultimi 30 scudetti? |date=14 September 2020 |publisher=sport.sky.it |language=it |access-date=8 August 2021 }}{{cite news |url=https://www.gazzetta.it/Calciomercato/30-12-2016/mercato-davids-stankovic-ronaldo-pandev-migliori-colpi-gennaio-180226595360.shtml |title=Mercato: Davids, Stankovic, Ronaldo, Pandev e... I migliori colpi di gennaio |work=La Gazzetta dello Sport |language=it |date=31 December 2016 |access-date=21 March 2024 }} he had also used the former formation during the 1994–95 season when Baggio was fit, as he was less suited to the 4–3–3. At Inter, Lippi used a fluid 3–3–1–3 formation, which would often become a 3–5–2. During his second spell at Juventus, he used a fluid 4–4–2 formation, with Pavel Nedvěd acting as a left winger on paper, who would frequently cut inside and move into the centre to shoot on goal, or operate in a creative role behind the forwards as an attacking midfielder, while he would also cover for the full-backs defensively.{{cite news |url=https://sport.sky.it/calcio/2018/04/12/lippi-idee-innovazioni-tattiche |title=Lipp-ip hurrà! Le idee tattiche nate da un sigaro |work=Sky Sport Italia |language=it |date=12 April 2018 |access-date=23 May 2024 }}{{cite web |url=https://thesefootballtimes.co/2018/08/10/how-gianluca-zambrotta-became-one-of-the-modern-eras-finest-full-backs/ |title=How Gianluca Zambrotta became one of the modern era's finest full-backs |publisher=These Football Times |last1=Tejwani |first1=Karan |date=9 August 2018 |access-date=29 May 2024 }} During the 2002–03 season, in order to accommodate the club's new right winger Camoranesi into the team's starting line-up, Lippi successfully shifted Zambrotta to a left-sided full-back role, due to his ability to overlap, run down the flank, provide width, cross into the box, or even cut inside and shoot on goal himself with his stronger foot.{{cite web |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2682246-remembering-the-overlooked-brilliance-of-juventus-legend-mauro-camoranesi |title=Remembering the Overlooked Brilliance of Juventus Legend Mauro Camoranesi |publisher=Bleacher Report |last1=Digby |first1=Adam |language=en |date=16 December 2016 |access-date=29 May 2024 }}{{cite web |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/history/news/0254-0d7b1ee2232d-a48c7518c984-1000--italy-call-up-for-camoranesi/ |title=Italy call-up for Camoranesi |publisher=UEFA |language=en |date=8 February 2003 |access-date=29 May 2024 }}{{cite web |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1124889-top-10-juventus-legends-of-the-last-20-years |title=Top 10 Juventus Legends of the Last 20 Years |publisher=Bleacher Report |last1=Al-Hendy |first1=Mohamed |language=en |date=29 March 2012 |access-date=29 May 2024 }}

In 1999, several journalists of La Gazzetta dello Sport praised Lippi for his charismatic leadership during his time with Juventus.{{cite news |url=http://archiviostorico.gazzetta.it/1999/febbraio/14/Juve_dei_piccoli_ritocchi_ga_0_9902148293.shtml |title=La Juve dei piccoli ritocchi |work=La Gazzetta dello Sport |language=it |last1=Lo Presti |first1=Salvatore |last2=Grimaldi |first2=Filippo |last3=Gentilotti |first3=Paolo |date=14 February 1999 |access-date=26 October 2019 }} Several of the club's former midfielders under Lippi went on to become managers, and have cited Lippi as an influence; these include Didier Deschamps, Paulo Sousa, Antonio Conte, and Zinedine Zidane.{{cite web |url=https://www.calciomercato.com/en/news/lippi-conte-and-zidane-my-pupils-dybala-90183 |title=Lippi: 'Conte and Zidane my pupils, Messi a problem for Dybala' |publisher=Calciomercato |date=17 January 2018 |access-date=26 October 2019 }}{{cite news |url=https://www.tuttosport.com/news/calcio/serie-a/juventus/2017/04/06-23955642/lippi_non_ha_dubbi_la_juventus_non_deve_temere_nessuno/ |title=Lippi non ha dubbi: "La Juventus non deve temere nessuno" |work=Tutto Sport |language=it |date=6 April 2017 |access-date=26 October 2019 }} Lippi's perceived career rival, Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, also admired Lippi's coaching style.{{cite news |last1=Williams |first1=Richard |title=Final fanfare for Lippi's unique sense of style and earthy substance |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2006/jul/11/worldcup2006.sport |access-date=21 March 2024 |work=The Guardian |date=10 July 2006}}

Similarly, during Italy's victorious 2006 World Cup campaign, Lippi was praised for adopting several tactical systems that allowed his two star playmakers, Francesco Totti and Andrea Pirlo, to play alongside one other. He eventually settlied on a 4–2–3–1 formation, in which Totti occupied the advanced creative role behind the centre-forward, while Pirlo was deployed in the deep-lying playmaking role; the two players were supported defensively by hard-working wingers and box-to-box midfielders, as well as attacking full-backs, who provided width to the team. The team also drew praise for its defensive solidity. World Soccer magazine also noted that Lippi's tactical flexibility throughout the tournament was further demonstrated by the fact that he often changed formations throughout the course of a single match, in addition to rotating players.{{cite web |url=https://www.worldsoccer.com/uncategorized/italy-tactics-298586 |title=Italy tactics |publisher=World Soccer |date=27 May 2010 |access-date=11 November 2019 }} Indeed, the fluidity of the team's formation was based on the movement and work-rate of the wide midfielders, who were required both to push up and track back. Lippi's system saw the players adopt more of a 4–4–1–1 or 4–4–2 formation when defending off the ball, which then became a more offensive 4–2–3–1 system when in possession, with the wide midfielders acting as attacking wingers, in particular Camoranesi on the right.{{cite web |url=https://sport.sky.it/calcio-estero/fotogallery/2014/09/04/evoluzione_tattica_italia_zoff_trapattoni_donadoni_lippi_prandelli_conte.html#3 |title=L'Italia che cambia: per ogni ct c'è un modulo diverso |publisher=sport.sky.it |language=it |date=20 December 2016 |access-date=26 February 2020 }}{{cite news| url=http://football.guardian.co.uk/worldcup2006/matchreport/0,,1806835,00.html | work=The Guardian | location=London | title=Totti steps up to redeem erratic Italy | first=Richard | last=Williams | date=27 June 2006 | access-date=28 April 2010 }} Perrotta was instead used in a more defensive wide role on the left, to help reinforce the midfield, due to his work-rate.{{cite web|url=http://ricerca.repubblica.it/repubblica/archivio/repubblica/2006/06/28/obiettivo-semifinale-italia-la-grande-occasione-adesso.html?ref=search|title=Obiettivo semifinale Italia, è la grande occasione adesso può soltanto crescere|publisher=La Repubblica|language=it|author1=GIANNI MURA|date=28 June 2006|access-date=28 April 2016}}{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/iht/2006/07/08/sports/IHT-08wcplayers.html?pagewanted=print|title=France and Italy - Settled and Similar|work=The New York Times|author1=Peter Berlin|date=8 July 2006|access-date=24 January 2017}}{{cite news |url=https://medium.com/footmagique/gioco-allitaliana-an-unbiased-explanation-e064a4eb764e |title=Gioco All'italiana: An Unbiased Explanation |work=Medium |date=4 August 2018 |access-date=9 April 2020 }}

In 2016, manager Antonio Conte praised Lippi for his coaching skills and tactical prowess, as well as his ability to communicate with and motivate his players to foster a competitive team spirit and a winning mentality; he also went on to describe his experiences as a player under Lippi with Juventus stating: "I remember when Marcello Lippi arrived from Napoli with great ambition and determination. He was very important, as he was able to transmit to us precisely what he wanted. We hit rock bottom with defeat to Foggia, so Lippi said if we have to lose, we’ll go down fighting. From then on we attacked, pressed high and took the game to the opposition. Lippi was excellent at motivating the squad and passing on his ideas. I think the most important thing for a Coach is to have a clear vision and transmit that clearly to his players. Lippi always had that, as well as a great ability to motivate us, even when we played every three days. That Juventus had four consecutive European Finals and if you think back, that was an exceptional achievement."{{cite web|url=http://www.football-italia.net/93647/conte-i-didnt-want-be-loser|title=Conte: 'I didn't want to be a loser'|publisher=Football Italia|date=29 October 2016|access-date=31 October 2016}} Fabrizio Ravanelli, who, like Conte, played under Lippi at Juventus, has also praised Lippi, describing him as a manager who excelled at reading the game and motivating his players.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/serie-a-90s-when-baggio-batistuta-and-italian-football-ruled-world?page=0%2C1 |title=Serie A in the '90s: when Baggio, Batistuta and Italian football ruled the world |magazine=FourFourTwo |author1=Chris Flanagan |date=17 August 2018 |access-date=20 September 2018 }}

In 2001, former footballer Roberto Baggio, who had a difficult relationship with Lippi, and who was often critical of his former manager, also noted in his autobiography – Una porta nel cielo – that he was impressed, however, by the fact that Lippi also paid great attention to his players' diets, and to their athletic preparation, and always made use of the newest technologies and hired athletic coaches who used the most current training methods.{{cite news |url=http://archiviostorico.gazzetta.it/2003/aprile/26/Juve_attenta_torna_Baggio_ga_0_0304261288.shtml |title=Juve attenta, torna Baggio |newspaper=La Gazzetta dello Sport |language=it |author1=Giovanni Battista Olivero |date=26 April 2003 |access-date=6 June 2018 }}{{cite book |last1=Baggio |first1=Roberto |title=Una porta nel cielo |date=2001 |publisher=Limina Edizioni |location=Arezzo |isbn=88-88551-92-1 |page=82 }}

During his early coaching career, Lippi was also known for smoking Mercator cigars while on the bench during matches.

{{updated|match played 14 November 2019}}{{citation needed|date=December 2024}}

;Juventus{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/coaches/marcello-lippi/130167/|title=M. Lippi|publisher=Soccerway|access-date=21 December 2015}}

• Serie A: 1994–95, 1996–97, 1997–98, 2001–02, 2002–03
• Coppa Italia: 1994–95
• Supercoppa Italiana: 1995, 1997, 2002, 2003
• UEFA Champions League: 1995–96; runner-up: 1996–97, 1997–98, 2002–03
• UEFA Super Cup: 1996
• Intercontinental Cup: 1996

;Guangzhou Evergrande

• Chinese Super League: 2012, 2013, 2014
• Chinese FA Cup: 2012
• Chinese FA Super Cup: 2012
• AFC Champions League: 2013

;Italy

• FIFA World Cup: 2006

Individual

• UEFA Club Coach of the Year : 1997–98{{cite web|url=http://www.marcellolippi.org/biografia.php?lang=Ita|title=PALMARES|publisher=Marcello Lippi.org|language=it|access-date=21 December 2015}}
• Serie A Coach of the Year: 1997, 1998, 2003
• Panchina d'Oro (2): 1994–95, 1995–96,{{cite web|url=http://www.alleniamo.com/comunicati/2010/febbraio/panchina_oro_allegri.htm |title=Albo "Panchina d'Oro" |language=it |date=1 February 2010 |access-date=21 December 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707113036/http://www.alleniamo.com/comunicati/2010/febbraio/panchina_oro_allegri.htm |archive-date=7 July 2011 }} 2006 (Special Award){{cite news|url=http://www.repubblica.it/2006/12/sezioni/sport/calcio/prandelli-panchina/prandelli-panchina/prandelli-panchina.html|title=Prandelli vince la panchina d'oro premiato anche l'ex Ct Lippi|newspaper=La Repubblica|language=it|date=11 December 2006|access-date=21 December 2015}}
• IFFHS World's Best National Coach: 2006{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/iffhs-coach.html|title=IFFHS' World's Best Coaches of the Year 1996-2006|website=RSSSF|author1=Erik Garin|date=2 August 2007|access-date=21 December 2015}}
• IFFHS World's Best Club Coach: 1996, 1998
• Onze d'Or Coach of the Year: 1997{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/onze-awards.html|title="Onze Mondial" Awards|website=RSSSF|author1=José Luis Pierrend|date=6 March 2012|access-date=21 December 2015}}
• World Soccer World Manager of the Year: 2006{{cite web|url=http://www.worldsoccer.com/features/world-soccer-awards-previous-winners-2-338433 |title=World Soccer Awards – previous winners |publisher=World Soccer.com |author1=Jamie Rainbow |date=14 December 2012 |access-date=21 December 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160629194202/http://www.worldsoccer.com/features/world-soccer-awards-previous-winners-2-338433 |archive-date=29 June 2016 }}
• Excellence Guirlande D'Honneur by the FICTS{{Cite news|url=http://www.sportmoviestv.com/sport-movies-tv-edizioni-precedenti/edizione-2006/|title=Edizione 2006 - Ficts|work=Ficts|access-date=25 May 2017|language=it-IT}}
• Italian Football Hall of Fame: 2011{{cite news|url=http://www.gazzetta.it/Calcio/27-10-2015/hall-of-fame-vialli-mancini-facchetti-ronaldo-herrera-agnelli-tardelli-ferlaino-130676725232.shtml|title=Hall of fame, 10 new entry: con Vialli e Mancini anche Facchetti e Ronaldo|trans-title=Hall of fame, 10 new entries: with Vialli and Mancini also Facchetti and Ronaldo|newspaper=La Gazzetta dello Sport|language=it|date=27 October 2015|access-date=27 October 2015}}
• Chinese Football Association Coach of the Year: 2013
• World Soccer 13th Greatest Manager of All Time: 2013
• ESPN 15th Greatest Manager of All Time: 2013{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/news/story/_/id/1511185|title=Greatest Managers, No. 15: Lippi|publisher=ESPN FC|access-date=21 October 2019}}
• France Football 16th Greatest Manager of All Time: 2019{{cite web|url=https://www.givemesport.com/1462037-france-football-have-ranked-the-50-greatest-managers-of-all-time|title=France Football have ranked the 50 greatest managers of all time|date=19 March 2019 |publisher=GiveMeSport|access-date=19 March 2019}}
• Globe Soccer Coach Career Award: 2017{{cite web|url=https://www.globesoccer.com/awards/walloffame/#filter=.winners-2016|title=Wall of Fame|website=GlobeSoccer}}
• Golden Foot Award Legends: 2018{{cite web |url=http://www.radiomontecarlo.net/news/principato-di-monaco/245894/il-golden-foot-2018-e-edinson-cavani.html |title=Il Golden Foot 2018 è Edinson Cavani |date=2 November 2018 |publisher=www.radiomontecarlo.net |language=it |access-date=6 December 2018 }}

:* Image:MeritoTecnico1.png CONI: Golden Palm of Technical Merit: Palma d'oro al Merito Tecnico: 2006{{cite web|url=http://www.coni.it/it/news/primo-piano/49-primo-piano-2006/2935-coni-_consegna_dei_collari_d&rsquo%3Boro_e_dei_diplomi_d&rsquo%3Bonore-_premia_il_presidente_del_consiglio_romano_prodi-_diretta_tv_su_rai_2.html |title=Coni: Consegna dei Collari d'Oro e dei Diplomi d'Onore. Premia il Presidente del Consiglio Romano Prodi. Diretta Tv su Rai 2 |publisher=Coni.it |language=it |date=16 October 2006 |access-date=23 December 2016}}

:* 50px 3rd Class / Commander: Commendatore Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana: 2006[http://www.quirinale.it/elementi/DettaglioOnorificenze.aspx?decorato=199056 Commendatore Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana Sig. Marcello Romeo LIPPI]

• First Coach to win both UEFA Champions League and World Cup
• First Coach to win both UEFA Champions League and AFC Champions League
• Lippi and Vicente del Bosque are the only two Coaches to have won both World Cup and UEFA Champions League
• Coach with the most runners-up medals in UEFA Champions League (tied with Jurgen Klopp): 3 (all with Juventus)
• Coach with the most runners-up medals in European Competitions: 4 (all with Juventus)
• Coach with second most Serie A titles: 5 (all with Juventus)
• Second longest serving coach for Juventus: 405 matches
• Second longest serving coach for a single club in Serie A: 405 matches with Juventus

{{reflist}}

• Marcello Lippi, Il gioco delle idee: pensieri e passioni a bordo campo, Editrice San Raffaele, 2008. {{ISBN|88-86270-71-2}} ("A game of ideas: thoughts and passions from the sidelines").

{{commons category}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20110906055817/http://www.goal.com/en/people/italy/116/marcello-lippi Coaching profile of Marcello Lippi] at Goal.com

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