Italy Coach Marcello Lippi Hits Back At Jose Mourinho
The row between Lippi and Mourinho is escalating...
19 Aug 2009 12:24:29
The war or words between Marcello Lippi and Jose Mourinho is in danger of getting out of control after the Italy coach responded again to the Inter boss, this time suggesting that all he possesses is experience and that Juventus tactician Ciro Ferrara and Milan's Leonardo are on the same level as the Portuguese.
The row began yesterday when Mourinho accused Lippi of 'lacking respect' after the World Cup winner predicted that former team Juventus would win the Scudetto.
After Lippi attempted to calm the storm and offer an olive branch, Mourinho refused to calm down and he reiterated that the Italian was in the wrong.
This has clearly irked Lippi, who has now provided the latest instalment in this saga.
"The players go on the pitch, not Mourinho, Leonardo and Ferrara, but if they did play, Ferrara and Leonardo would be better," Lippi told Famiglia Cristiana magazine.
"Mourinho has important characteristics, the others have less experience, but the same level of personality.
"You don't win games in front of the cameras or microphones. Games are played and won in the dressing rooms when you build a team."
It is inevitable that Mourinho will again reply to Lippi, as the row overshadows the start to the new Serie A season.
Salvatore Landolina
