The latest transfer speculation: Lippi, Gattuso to Manchester

Jul 7, 2006, 10:09 GMT

London - Marcello Lippi is to quit the Italy coaching job after the World Cup final for Manchester United to work alongside and eventually succeed Alex Ferguson there, British daily The Sun claimed on Friday.

The Sun also said that Italy midfielder Gennaro Gattuso may move to Old Trafford if his club AC Milan are relegated over a match- fixing scheme.

Lippi, 58, has so far not talked about his future after Sunday's big final against France.

But The Sun said he has told 'friends' that the game will be his last and that Lippi is ready to work abroad after earning plenty of success in Italy.

The report said that Ferguson and Lippi were long-standing friends, that they could work together tandem next season and that Lippi could take over the team in 2007 because Ferguson was likely to quit as manager after two decades at the United helm.

As far as the midfield workhorse Gattuso is concerned, the Sun said that intermediaries for United and the player have met around the World Cup. The report said that Gattuso was 'on record as saying 'It is my dream to play for Manchester United and I have had this dream for a long time.''

However, such a transfer could only be discussed if Milan are punished with a drop to the Serie B in the match-fixing affair. A verdict in the case is set for next week.