(ANSA) - Beijing, October 19 - Marcello Lippi may be heading back to China as its new national team head coach, ANSA learned Wednesday. The deal reportedly to be finalized in a meeting next week would include Massimiliano Maddaloni as his assistant coach.
China's national team was defeated in three out of four matches so far (by South Korea, Syria, and Uzbekistan) in the second preliminary phase for the 2018 World Cup in Russia and is at the bottom of the classification.
Lippi, who among his many achievements led Italy to win the 2006 World Cup, is the ex-coach of Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao FC, which he led to win three Chinese Super League titles and the 2013 Asian Champions League.
Soccer: Lippi could be next China natl coach
Deal 'to be finalized next week'