ITALY COACH:
Marcello Lippi

One of the most successful and respected coaches in Serie A, it was only natural that Marcello Lippi would become national coach some day. He earned five Serie A titles, one Italian Cup, four Italian Super Cups and a Champions League crown (1996) with Juventus from 1995 to 2003 (with a break from 1999 to 2001 when he coached at Inter). He also guided Juve to the 2003 final, falling to Italian rival A.C. Milan on penalty kicks.

Lippi has many of the traits you want in a coach: He can be tough. He is an excellent tactician and not afraid to experiment. And he can be flexible when the time comes. "Everyone should feel like they're on the bubble," he said. "That's why I won't replace (Francesco) Totti. Whoever I would have called up would feel like a backup, and here there are no (backups)."

Born April 11, 1948, Lippi played professionally for Savona, Sampdoria, and Pistoiese before becoming a youth coach with Sampdoria in 1982. He eventually became a head coach at A.C. Cesena before moving on to Lucchese, Atalanta, and Napoli. After Italy's failed endeavor at Euro 2004, Lippi was named the new coach, replacing Giovanni Trapattoni and signing a two-year contract on July 16, 2004. Lippi has been thinking of retirement so he could be with his grandson more. He hinted that he could go into his parents' business and start a bakery.