Juve resigned to losing Lippi

'I will retire'
"I will retire," the 56-year-old told a press conference in Turin today. "It is the right moment for me to step aside. I will not sign for any other club. I have refused any kind of contact. I received several calls but I have always answered 'no'.

Time to go
"I have coached great players in this period and I am sure they can keep on winning with another coach. The club tried to convince me to stay but I refused. They even offered me the job of technical director, but I believe it is time for a wonderful story to end."

Second spell
Lippi is in his second spell with Juve. Between 1994 and 1999, he won the Scudetto three times as well as the UEFA Champions League, the UEFA Super Cup, the European/South American Cup and the Coppa Italia.

Two in a row
After a disappointing period with FC Internazionale, Lippi returned to the Delle Alpi in 2001 and promptly guided to the club to successive league titles, in 2002 and 2003. Last season he led his team to the Champions League final and after losing on penalties to AC Milan, announced that he would retire if Juve failed to win the trophy this season. The Bianconeri were eliminated by RC Deportivo La Coruña and have failed to retain their Serie A crown.

Full-time grandfather
Lippi has said he will return to his home town of Viareggio on 17 May to become a full-time grandfather, as he promised after the Champions League final last May. Lippi also coached Atalanta BC and SSC Napoli. Parma AC coach Cesare Prandelli, a former Juventus player, is among the favourites to replace him.