Germany brings out Lippi's lighter side

DUISBURG, Germany, June 9 (Reuters) Italy's Marcello Lippi has experienced almost everything top-flight football has to offer but the World Cup is something new for the former Juventus coach and it is bringing out a hidden side of his personality.

The classic images of the silver-haired Lippi usually feature him with a stern expression as he gives short shrift to questions from journalists or pensively puffs on a cigar while standing on the touchline.

But in the short time he has been in Germany for the World Cup finals, which for Italy begin on Monday with their Group E match against Ghana, the other side of Lippi has been on show.

''I'm feeling really enthusiastic, it is a magical feeling,'' said the 58-year-old Lippi when asked how he felt after yesterday's first training session at their World Cup base.

''I've always felt that being a national team coach is a magical thing and I've never been at a World Cup -- not as a player, a coach or a kit man or as anything. I'm feeling really enthusiastic,'' he added.

Lippi's public persona may not accurately reflect his character -- no-one doubts his professionalism and commitment to getting results, as five Serie A titles with Juventus testify -- but those who know him well say he also has a sense of humour.

''He is a serious and at times strict coach,'' former Italy striker Gianluca Vialli, who played for Lippi at Juve, told Reuters.

''But he knows how to have a laugh and can make a joke at the right time''.

DRY HUMOUR Lippi's dry humour was on display during his first news conference when one Italian reporter complained that a photographer, seated in the front row and with a giant 'Afro' style haircut, was obscuring his view.

Italy's press officer asked the photographer to move and Lippi interjected: ''Or you could get your hair cut''. The photographer replied: ''I'll cut my hair if you win the World Cup,'' to which Lippi responded: ''Ah, in that case so will I''.

It was not like the entertaining and at times bizarre banter that his predecessor Giovanni Trapattoni engaged in but after weeks in which Lippi has had to answer questions about the Serie A refereeing scandal it was a welcome light-hearted moment.

Nor is Lippi afraid to give his opinions on non-footballing matters. In October, as Italy prepared for the last two World Cup qualifiers, he stepped outside the Florence training centre to meet striking factory workers who faced heavy job losses.

''I wanted to meet them in order to show my solidarity,'' Lippi said at the time. ''I come from a family that was not rich and I then had a bit of luck. People in football are more sensitive to such things than most people think and I wished them good luck''.

Now, though, as the pressure starts to build on the Azzurri, Lippi has just one thing on his mind. ''I'm thinking exclusively about the Ghana match. Nothing else,'' he said.

REUTERS DH KN1635