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Italy’s World Cup-winning coach Marcello Lippi has rejected becoming involved with the national team again.

Guido Rossi, the head of the Italian Football Federation, had suggested that Lippi could take on a supervisory role at the head of the federation’s coaching department.

“I will never be a supervisor because that is not my trade,” said Lippi, who led Italy to World Cup final success in the summer.

Lippi backed his replacement, new Italy coach Roberto Donadoni, who has come under criticism following the poor start to their Euro 2008 qualifying campaign.

“I respect him a lot and I am convinced he will find a good relationship with his players,” Lippi told ANSA.

“I have no doubt that they will get back to great form and that Roberto will be able to bring the best out of them – he is a great lad. He was a kind of coach on the field when he was a player,” he added.

Lippi is expected to coach at club football level again, although he admits he is not hurry to return.

“At the moment I am still enjoying the aftertaste of the World Cup which I think will last a good while yet. It would be daft to take on a club after one or two weeks of the season,” he said.

“I have had some calls from non-Italian clubs but I didn’t meet with any club directors.”

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