World Cup winner Marcello Lippi appointed head coach of Chinese side Guangzhou Evergrande

(AFP/Getty Images)

Italy's World Cup-winning coach Marcello Lippi has been appointed head coach of the Chinese Super League champions Guangzhou Evergrande, the club said today.

Lippi, who led the Azzurri to the 2006 World Cup, replaces South Korea's Lee Jang-soo at the big-spending Chinese club.

"According to the club's strategic development needs, a considered decision has been made to appoint Mr. Marcello Lippi to serve as head coach for the Guangzhou Evergrande football club," a statement on the club's website said.

"The appointment is for two years and six months."

As a club coach, Lippi won several Serie A titles and the Champions League with Juventus.

The 64-year old Italian took Italy's reins again for the 2010 finals in South Africa but the defending champions were packed off at the group stage without winning a game.

Guangzhou, having grabbed global headlines by signing Argentine Dario Conca last year for an undisclosed sum that is supposed to have broken Chinese transfer records, has made it to the last 16 stage of the Asian Champions League.

Reuters