Marcello Lippi could be in line to return as coach of the Italian national team unless Roberto Donadoni can recover from the demoralising midweek defeat against Hungary.
The 59-year-old is preparing to begin work as a pundit on Italian television for the new Serie A campaign, but has inserted a clause in that deal just in case.
If a big coaching job comes up, then Lippi will be free to return to the game and reports have suggested that the biggest post of all could be his again.
"I’m a coach who is on loan to a TV company,” he explained. “I accepted this job so that I could keep up with the game.”
Donadoni is coming under increasing pressure as the world champions have stuttered under his management and the 3-1 reverse against Hungary have only increased that.
Rumours are now circulating that if the Italains do not perform in the Euro 2008 qualifier against France next month then Lippi could be asked to step back in.
He resigned as coach last summer after winning the World Cup with the Azzurri, claiming that he wanted to take a break.
