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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.

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.
His appointment will be announced on Monday.
Lippi, who won the Uefa Champions League with Juventus and the World Cup with Italy, has reportedly been offered a contract worth €50 million for three years.
‘Should Chinese football start from scratch?’ asks state media after another World Cup qualifying defeat
The bulk of the amount would be borne by Evergrande, it was reported – the club struck a similar deal to let their former volleyball coach Lang Ping take over as national team coach.
Lippi had also been tipped to return as Evergrande boss.
Former Dutch team manager Guus Hiddink was also linked with the job due to his successful stint with South Korea in the last decade, but Lippi is more favoured for his knowledge of Chinese soccer, especially as many of Evergrande’s players are also members of the national team.
China reached the last 12 of Asia World Cup qualifying, but have managed only one point after four games. They next face Qatar in Kunming on November 15.


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Guangzhou Evergrande head coach Marcello Lippi in 2014. AFP PHOTO / TOSHIFUMI KITAMURA

Guangzhou Evergrande's coach Marcello Lippi speaks to players during the semifinal soccer match between Guangzhou Evergrande and Bayern Munich at the Club World Cup soccer tournament in Agadir, Morocco, Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2013. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)

‘Should Chinese football start from scratch?’ asks state media after another World Cup qualifying defeat

Players of China leave the pitch after losing the FIFA World Cup 2018 qualifying match against Uzbekistan in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, Oct. 11, 2016. China lost the match 0-2. (Xinhua/Cao Can)

(161011) -- TASHKENT, Oct. 11, 2016 (Xinhua) -- Igor Sergeev (2nd  L) of Uzbekistan vies with Cai Huikang of China during their FIFA World Cup 2018 qualifying match in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, Oct. 11, 2016. Uzbekistan won 2-0. (Xinhua/Cao Can)

(161011) -- TASHKENT, Oct. 11, 2016 (Xinhua) -- Wu Lei (R) of China reacts after losing a scoring chance during the FIFA World Cup 2018 qualifying match against Uzbekistan in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, Oct. 11, 2016. China lost the match 0-2. (Xinhua/Cao Can)

(161011) -- TASHKENT, Oct. 11, 2016 (Xinhua) -- Azizbek Khaydarov (L) of Uzbekistan fights for the ball with Zhang Chengdong of China during their FIFA World Cup 2018 qualifying match in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, Oct. 11, 2016. Uzbekistan won 2-0. (Xinhua/Cao Can)

China coach Gao Hongbo resigns after 2018 World Cup setback

China players are disappointed as they leave the pitch after their 0-2 loss to Uzbekistan in Tashkent. Photo: Xinhua

(161011) -- MELBOURNE, Oct. 11, 2016 (Xinhua) -- Brad Smith (L) of Australia fights for the ball with Yu Kobayashi of Japan during their FIFA World Cup 2018 qualifying match in Melbourne, Australia, Oct. 11, 2016. The match ended with a 1-1 draw. (Xinhua/Zhu Hongye)

(161011) -- TASHKENT, Oct. 11, 2016 (Xinhua) -- Odil Ahmedov (L) of Uzbekistan vies with Cai Huikang of China during their FIFA World Cup 2018 qualifying match in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, Oct. 11, 2016. Uzbekistan won 2-0. (Xinhua/Cao Can)

China national team boss Gao Hongbo before playing Laos in World Cup qualifier in Kuming. credit: SCMP Pictures (HANDOUT)

epa05581140 Iraq's Mohanad Abdolraheem Karrar (r) celebrates with his team mate Ahmed Yaseen Gheni after scoring a goal during the FIFA World Cup 2018 Asian qualification soccer match between Iraq and Thailand at the Dastjerdi stadium in Tehran, Iran, 11 October 2016. EPA/STR

(161011) -- TASHKENT, Oct. 11, 2016 (Xinhua) -- Marat Bikmaev (1st L) celebrates with his teammates after scoring during the FIFA World Cup 2018 qualifying match against China in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, Oct. 11, 2016. Uzbekistan won 2-0. (Xinhua/Cao Can)

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