Lippi shoulders blame

(GSM) – Italy manager Marcello Lippi has shouldered the blame for the team’s early exit from the World Cup. The World champions finished last in Group F with Paraguay and Slovakia going through to the second round of the competition.

Italy were defeated by Slovakia 3-2 and crashed out today and 2006 World Cup-winning coach Lippi accepted his responsibility for Italy’s premature exit.

“I take all responsibility, all responsibility for what happened,” said the 62-year-old, who returned to the post after two years away in 2008.

“If a team turns up at such an important game like tonight with terror in their heart and their legs, and is unable to express its ability, it’s because the coach didn’t train the team as he should.

“I don’t regret coming back. It was an experience I wanted to replicate. I was convinced I could do things differently and I’m sorry.”