Italian football federation (FIGC) Thursday called back world champion coach Marcello Lippi hours after sacking his successor Roberto Donadoni.
Lippi, 60, had long been rumoured to return to the national squad's bench two years after he steered Italy to their fourth World Cup. He resigned in July 2006 after defeating France in Berlin in a penalty shoot-out final.
"I'm very, very happy and very motivated. To next week," the ANSA newsagency quoted the 60-year-old coach as saying.
FIGC said Lippi is to be officially introduced as new coach Tuesday in Rome.