Lippi to leave Juventus

A spokesman said the club had not made any decision on a replacement for the coach who led Juventus to two successive titles after returning from Inter Milan in 2001.

"It has been fantastic, but I think it's time for me step aside," Lippi was quoted as saying by Italian news agency ANSA.

Juventus lie third in Serie A with no chance of catching leaders AC Milan in the final three matches of the season, and Lippi said he had made his decision to leave over a month ago.

"About 50 days ago, right after a crucial period for us, I had to deal with the conditions that everyone knows about and I expressed my feelings to the club. These players have given me their all and I am convinced they can still give something but with another coach," Lippi said.

Lippi, who also won three Italian titles and the European Cup during his first spell at Juve from 1994 to 1999, has always insisted he would not coach another Italian side after his ill-fated spell with Inter.

"I am not going to any other team. I have refused any kind of discussion with anyone," said Lippi who also said there were no financial reasons behind his decision.

"I didn't ask for a lira and when you have a rapport such as I have with this club it is not one year of a contract that can cause problems.

"The club tried to get me to change my mind and we also thought about continuing our relationship in a different form but I am convinced that the right thing is to step aside," said Lippi.

Speculation about Lippi's departure has been rife since the Old Lady was knocked out of the Champions League by Deportivo La Coruña in March.

Out of league contention and 2-0 down to Lazio after the first leg of the Coppa Italia final, Italy's most decorated club faces a rare trophyless season.

Monaco coach and former Juve midfielder Didier Deschamps has been heavily linked with the Juve hotseat, but faces stiff competition from Parma's Cesare Prandelli, who has performed miracles on a shoestring budget at the club.

Lippi himself is the subject of speculation that he will take over the national team after Euro 2004. But with Giovanni Trapattoni adamant that he wants to stay in charge of the Azzurri, only a disastrous campaign in Portugal would see such a scenario arise.