Blues deny Lippi contact
Lippi secured the game's biggest prize last summer
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Thursday, 01, Feb 2007 11:51
Chelsea have denied that former Italy coach Marcello Lippi has been lined up as a replacement for current manager Jose Mourinho at the end of this season.
The out-of-work World Cup winner claimed that the Blues had sounded him out over the possibility of taking over at Stamford Bridge, but the reigning Premiership champions have denied that any such conversation has taken place.
"No list of candidates has been drawn up to replace Jose Mourinho. Nobody from Chelsea has spoken to Mr Lippi or his representatives or indeed anyone regarding the manager's job," read a club statement.
Lippi's comments came as speculation over the Portuguese tactician's future reached fever pitch with claims of a falling out between coach and club owner, Roman Abramovich.
The club's uncharacteristic lack of transfer activity during the January transfer window was said to stem from the disagreement.
It is believed that Abramovich was unwilling to finance a £3 million move for Bolton's Tal Ben Haim, despite splashing out in excess of £40 million in the summer on under-performing stars such as Michael Ballack, Andriy Shevchenko and Jon Obi Mikel.
But Chelsea insist that they have no plans to part ways with their current boss, who has steered the side to successive Premiership titles.
"As previously stated, Jose Mourinho has a contract until 2010 and has the support of everybody at Chelsea," the statement added.