Lippi agrees to head Guangzhou Evergrande: Italian paper

Marcello Lippi is poised for a comeback to football to take charge of Guangzhou Evergrande, according to reports in an Italian sports newspaper Corriere dello Sport.

It is believed that the 63-year-old Italian, who had been linked with the job in the past months, has agreed terms on a deal worth 10 million euros ($13 million) per year.

Marcello Lippi in file photo. [Photo/Agencies]

In early March Guangzhou officials denied contact with Lippi, but the coach himself later told CalcioNews24 that there had been interest in his services, but "no agreement" had been reached.

Chinese newspaper Oriental Sports Daily also claimed there was an unidentified Italian present at the club's AFC Champions League clash with Kashiwa Reysol on Wednesday.

However, an anonymous Guangzhou club official went on to dismiss this notion, stating that he does not know "where this kind of fake news comes from."

Guangzhou, who made headlines worldwide last year by signing Dario Conca from Fluminense in a deal which reportedly made him the world's third highest-paid player, won the Chinese title last season under current boss Lee Jang-Soo after winning promotion the term before.

But after losses in the domestic league and the AFC Champions League in the lastest month, Guangzhou's head coach Lee had been reportedly under pressure with a number of big international names including Marcello Lippi, Sven-Goran Eriksson, and Guus Hiddink being touted to take over.

The Guandong-based outfit are also believed to be set to sign Borussia Dortmund's Lucas Barrios during the European off-season, while a Corriere dello Sport report claims the move of Lippi, a former Juventus boss, could facilitate a transfer for Juventus striker Alessandro Del Piero.

Guangzhou are currently second in the Chinese Super League after four matches, while they are in third place in their ACL group with four points from three games.

Lippi, who led the Italian national football team to win the 2006 FIFA World Cup,had previously been linked with Lazio, but stated that he had no interest in working in Serie A.