Former Italy star Christian Vieri has paid tribute to Marcello Lippi.
Lippi retired from coaching earlier this season after time away from Europe in China. For Vieri, Lippi was an innovator and his approach is something today's game now sees from the best managers in the Premier League.
The former Juventus and Atletico Madrid centre-forward worked with Lippi at Inter Milan and admits their year together transformed his game and career.
Indeed, Vieri is adamant the former Juventus coach worked in the same manner as is celebrated today regarding the approaches of Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp and Manchester City's Pep Guardiola.
He said on personal Twitch channel, Bobo TV, via TMW: "Lippi was the coach who made me think I had found a winner. For me it was what changed my vision completely, taking it to another level.
"What Klopp and Guardiola do today, Lippi did it twenty years ago. Concepts such as going at the game, attacking, as a team: there is no Vieri, no Del Piero exists, the team exists."
Vieri admits he crossed swords with Lippi during their time together, though the coach eventually convinced him of his methods.
He also stated: "I also discussed it, but we are direct, we say something to each other and then it ends there.
"He was not afraid to take risks, to play one-on-one behind..."
Over his 18-year career, Vieri won the Scudetto with Juventus and also Serie A Player of the Year.
- updated March 17
