Marcello Lippi has proved himself ready for the arduous challenge of trying to restore a degree of respectability to Italian football.

The humiliation suffered in the 2002 World Cup and Euro 2004 was a big blow for both the nation and the players - the team departing for home far too early for their liking.

Lippi guided the three-time world champions to qualification for Germany after finishing as Group Five winners, five points clear of rivals Norway.

"We have only done our duty," admitted Lippi after his team's qualification.

"But we are only halfway there. And we must keep our feet firmly on the ground, we have a lot of work to do."

The 57-year-old was handed the reins of the Azzurri in July 2004 after the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) decided not to renew Giovanni Trapattoni's contract.

Trapattoni paid the highest price for failing to take Italy to the knockout stages in Euro 2004.

An overconfident Azzurri side, considered among the favourites to lift the trophy, waved goodbye to the competition after just three matches.

Having won five Serie A titles and the Champions League with Juventus, there was no doubt in the nation the silver-haired Lippi was the right man for the job.

"The national team is in every coach's dreams, and therefore in my dreams, too," said Lippi.

"It's prestigious and certainly not an easy job. But then nothing is easy in football."

Lippi needs no reminder of how difficult it can be, having reached the Champions League final four times, more than any other manager in the history of the game, but only won it once.

"It's the journey that counts," he once said.

"In a one-off game anything can happen, the difficult part is getting to the last hurdle."

Lippi has always been keen to give youngsters the opportunity to prove themselves, knowing the importance it has after guiding the Sampdoria youth teams in 1982.

Unlike Trapattoni, who appeared reluctant to drop big-name players like Alessandro del Piero and Christian Vieri, clearly out of form in Euro 2004 where they failed to score, Lippi has no fear of change.

His decision to take a chance on in-form AC Milan striker Alberto Gilardino and prolific Fiorentina hitman Luca Toni has paid dividends. Gilardino and Toni proved decisive in Italy's qualification to the World Cup and relegated the likes of Vieri and del Piero to the bench.

Players have also learned there is no room for big egos in Lippi's squad.

He left temperamental striker Antonio Cassano out of the national team following the player's contract dispute with former club Roma.

Lippi sent out a clear warning to all his players.

"No-one is guaranteed a place," he said.

"All the players have to do well game after game - that is the way things are."

The Viareggio-born Lippi has earned the respect of his peers after a long and successful coaching career.

His achievements on the bench have overshadowed a modest playing career.

Having played at Savona and Pistoiese, he spent 12 years at Sampdoria and after 239 matches and seven goals in Serie A he retired.

Lippi began coaching in Italy's lower divisions before joining top-flight club Cesena. After stints with Atalanta and Napoli, his big break came in 1994 when Juve knocked on his door.

Lippi won every possible title with the Bianconeri and after eight years at the club he resigned having become one of the most successful managers in Italian football.

The hard-working, cigar-smoking Lippi demands the best not only from his players but from himself.

He rejected a contract extension offered by the federation after his team earned qualification.

"I'm happy that they are happy with the job I'm doing," he said.

"But I don't think I can consider a contract extension until the World Cup."

Italy were rarely mentioned as being among the favourites this time round but have been galvanised by the ongoing Serie A scandal at home. They have maintained their ruthlessly-efficient defensive structure but with Andrea Pirlo creating from deep, Lippi has moulded them into a free-flowing unit too.

Lifting the trophy on Sunday will be a difficult task but with Francesco Totti, Toni and Gilardino yet to peak, it could all fall into place at exactly the right time.

Give that man another cigar.