Lippi arrives in China, set to coach Chinese national team

Italian soccer coach Marcello Lippi (L) shakes hands with Cai Zhenhua, president of China Football Association (CFA), in Guangzhou, capital of South China's Guangdong province, Oct 22, 2016. Marcello Lippi will be the head coach of Chinese men's soccer team from Oct 22, 2016, according to the official website of the CFA. [Photo/Xinhua]

GUANGZHOU - Italian coach Marcello Lippi arrived in China's Guangzhou on Saturday to ink the deal of coaching Chinese national team with the Chinese Football Association (CFA).

A source close to the negotiation said that the Italian had talks with CFA chief Cai Zhenhua, and the deal was "almost sealed".

"The negotiation went very smoothly and the deal was almost sealed," he said.

"Lippi will become the Chinese national team coach, almost 100 percent," he added.

But he didn't mention any further detail including salary and the length of the contract.

The Italian already signed a coaching contract with Guangzhou Evergrande in August.

But the Chinese club announced the cancellation of the contract with Lippi earlier this day.

Lippi, 68, is one of the world's most famous coaches. He guided Juventus to European champions, Italy to World Cup champions in 2006, and Guangzhou Evergrande to Asian champions in 2013.