KUALA LUMPUR: Guangzhou Evergrande striker Muriqui said World Cup-winning coach Marcello Lippi would be a “great” coach for China’s national team when he moves on from the reigning Asian club champions.
The prolific Brazilian, speaking after being named as Asia’s top foreign player of the year at an awards ceremony in Kuala Lumpur, said he had no doubt Lippi could boost stuttering
China.
China are currently searching for a permanent coach after they dismissed ex-Spain and Real Madrid manager Jose Antonio Camacho following a disappointing run of results.
“I think he (Lippi) is a wonderful coach. He helped our team a lot and he helped Chinese football also,” said Muriqui, who top-scored with 13 goals during Guangzhou’s victorious AFC Champions League campaign.
“Of course if one day he wants to be the coach of the Chinese team, it will be a very great thing and he will help Chinese football even more. I hope one day he will be the Chinese coach.”
Lippi’s presence at recent China games has fuelled speculation he may be lured away from Guangzhou to lead the national team at the 2015 Asian Cup, presuming they qualify.
Silver-haired Lippi, who led his native Italy to the 2006 World Cup and also won the European Champions League with Juventus, has another year left on his contract with Guangzhou.
China have reached only one World Cup, in 2002, and they have been quiet on the regional stage since losing out to Japan in the 2004 Asian Cup final.
Guangzhou’s Champions League victory was the first Asian title for a Chinese team in 23 years, but the team is facing upheaval next season with the departure of inspirational midfielder Dario Conca.
Muriqui said he hoped Guangzhou would find a replacement for the Argentinian, who became one of the world’s best-paid players when he made the move to China in 2011. AFP
