Coaches win matches

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The influence of coaches in football cannot be understated as Jose Mourinho vividly demonstrated last month, guiding Inter Milan to the Champions League title after 45 years of disappointment. Here's a look at the coaches who will make a critical difference to their team's fortunes at the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Marcelo Lippi

The aging Italian class of 2010 is distinctly inferior to the class of 2006, which Marcelo Lippi helped inspire to glory. Lippi ought to have permanently hung up his boots on a successful note but couldn't resist another shot at the job after Italy's poor show in Euro 2008.

While the Italians can never be counted out, the Paul Newman lookalike will have to dig deep into his reservoir of self-belief to avoid embarrassment before he hands over the reins to Fiorentina's Cesare Prandelli.

Text: Sify Images: AFP