Giovanni Trapattoni has confirmed that he will resign as Benfica coach after steering the Lisbon club to its first league title in 11 years.

“I need to return to (Italy to) be with my family and I have other problems to resolve after that,” Trapattoni, 66, told a news conference.

“I am leaving Benfica but I haven’t got another team for next season..

“My family is very important, more so than the money.”

Trapattoni has recently been linked with Lazio although he refused to confirm that he has opened negotiations with the Roman club.

Benfica’s title success was Trapatonni’s ninth in a long career with several European clubs, including six with Italy’s Juventus.

Benfica failed to secure a domestic double when they were beaten by Vitoria Setubal 2-1 on Sunday in the Portuguese Cup final.

Despite the best efforts of the clubs’s board to keep him at the club, Trapattoni has decided he would like to continue his career in hhis native Italy.

“Anyway, I have the intention to continue my career and to continue coaching,” he added.