Lippi on verge of Italian return

Italy could yet be led into the qualifying campaign for South Africa 2010 by World Cup winning coach Marcello Lippi after their exit from Euro 2008 at the hands of Spain last night.

Coach Roberto Donadoni has insisted he will not step down despite being aware of rumours of Lippi's return.  He claims he is happy with his side's performance in the tournament after watching them bow out at the quarter-final stage on penalties following a goalless 120 minutes in Vienna.

It was a bitter blow for the Italians who had hoped to follow Lippi's World Cup success in Germany two years ago with a European title.

"Resigning? It doesn't even enter my mind," said Donadoni. "A missed penalty does not make me change my views on our performances in this tournament, I'm not stupid."

Just prior to the start of Euro 2008, Donadoni — who took over from Lippi two years ago — signed a contract extension with the Italian Football Federation that ran until the conclusion of the 2010 World Cup.

However, the new contract includes a reciprocal escape clause that can be put into effect within 10 days of Italy's exit from the tournament in Austria and Switzerland.

The 44-year-old Donadoni has said he would be the first to step aside if results were disappointing at Euro 2008.

After just one win (2-0 against France) in four tournament games Italian Football Federation president Giancarlo Abete did not confirm or deny whether Donadoni will continue in charge straight after his team's exit, but said the situation will be monitored closely.

"In the next few days we will have a meeting with him and we will discuss the future," said Abete. "With cool heads, we will reason."

With a qualification campaign, involving Ireland, Bulgaria, Montenegro, Georgia and Cyprus fast-approaching, however, "reason" and popular opinion appears to pointing to the return of Lippi and Donadoni knows it.

"Lippi's return has been discussed in the last 15 days but I'm serenely waiting for the FA's decision," the former international and AC Milan winger said today.