File photo shows Marcello Lippi, head coach of China, looks on during the 2019 AFC Asian Cup group C match between South Korea and China in in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Jan. 16, 2019. The Chinese Football Assosiation announced on Friday to appoint Marcello Lippi as the head coach of Chinese national men's football team on Friday. (Xinhua/Li Gang)
BEIJING, May 24 (Xinhua) -- Italy's Marcello Lippi has been re-appointed head coach of the Chinese national football team, the Chinese Football Association (CFA) announced here on Friday.
The World Cup-winning coach will start his second stint with Team Dragon in June ahead of the 2022 World Cup Asian qualifiers which begin in September this year.
"When Lippi was previously in charge of the national team, the players showed a positive attitude and a fighting spirit. We believe that with Lippi and his team of assistant coaches, the Chinese men's football team will leave no stone unturned in realizing their dream of qualifying for the 2022 World Cup," the CFA said in a statement.
The 71-year-old Lippi first took charge of China in 2016, before leaving the role in January this year when his contract expired after the Asian Cup. His protege Fabio Cannavaro took over the post in conjunction with coaching Guangzhou Evergrande, but left the national team in April to focus solely on his club duties.
Lippi led the Chinese team to three wins, two draws and one loss in the 2018 World Cup Asian qualifiers.
