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2018 Fifa World Cup
SportFootball

Marcello Lippi set to be handed €50m to save China’s dire national football team

World Cup winner flying in this weekend, according to reports

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Guangzhou Evergrande head coach Marcello Lippi in 2014. AFP PHOTO / TOSHIFUMI KITAMURA
Chan Kin-wa

Former Guangzhou Evergrande manager Marcello Lippi is set to take over as China boss, according to reports in Italy and the mainland.

Gao Hongbo was sacked after China’s 2-0 defeat by Uzbekistan 10 days ago which has almost certainly ended their hopes of qualifying for the 2018 World Cup.

And Italian Lippi, who guided Guangzhou to three Chinese Super League titles and the Asian Champions League, was immediately installed as one of the favourites to take over.

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Marcello Lippi won the Asian Champions League with Guangzhou Evergrande. Photo: AP
Marcello Lippi won the Asian Champions League with Guangzhou Evergrande. Photo: AP

Reports say the Chinese Football Association have approached the Italian, who will arrive in Beijing to iron out the details this weekend via Hong Kong as he has yet to obtain an entry visa.

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His appointment will be announced on Monday.

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