FIGC president Abete cools rumours over Fiorentina coach Prandelli

FIGC President Giancarlo Abete insists there's no candidates confirmed to replace Marcello Lippi after the 2010 World Cup.

Lippi has hinted he will walk away after the 2010 tournament in South Africa, regardless of the result, so the race is on to find his successor.

As Carlo Ancelotti, Luciano Spalletti and Roberto Mancini have recently signed contracts with overseas clubs, Fiorentina boss Cesare Prandelli has emerged as the hot favourite.

“Prandelli as the post-Lippi manager? For now there are no people to focus on, we just want to have a great World Cup with Lippi, who has proved his winning quality,” said Federation chief Abete.

“We are going to South Africa as the Cup holders and have the duty to defend our title as best we can. We’ll focus on what happens afterwards when the time comes, but for now the only nations who can look that far ahead are those who didn’t qualify.”