World Cup-winning Italian coach Marcello Lippi open to Australian role Graham Arnold insists Central Coast Mariners won't be intimidated by Guangzhou, who are coached by Italian World Cup winning coach Marcello Lippi. Marcello Lippi says he can understand why his countryman Alessandro Del Piero came to work in Australia. WORLD Cup-winning coach Marcello Lippi has said he is open to working in Australia, giving a further clue that he will quit China's Guangzhou Evergrande when his contract expires. Lippi, who joined Guangzhou in 2012 on a reported 10 million euro ($13 million) a year deal, said he could understand the decision of Italian countryman Alessandro Del Piero, his former protege at Juventus, to join Sydney FC. "Who knows what will happen in the future," Lippi told a press conference in Gosford ahead of tonight's AFC Champions League clash with Central Coast Mariners. Australia is a beautiful, wonderful country. If the opportunity to coach (here) came up, yes, I would think about it," he said, according to The Australian. While far from categorical, the comments indicate that the highly sought-after coach, 65, is thinking about life after Guangzhou, where his contract runs out in a year-and-a-half. Lippi recently told Italy's Gazzetta dello Sport that he'll be back in his home country in 18 months, in comments which were widely reported in China. Deep-pocketed Guangzhou have gone to great lengths to accommodate Lippi, who won the 2006 World Cup with Italy, even installing a fully equipped Italian restaurant at their training ground, according to reports. Lippi's main experience with Australian football so far was at the 2006 World Cup, when his Italy team downed the Socceroos with a controversial late penalty en route to the title. Alessandro Del Piero came to Australia to play. I wasn't surprised by that," he said. Alessandro and I have both taken the same path to explore new and exciting career options, so you see anything is possible. Since Lippi arrived a year ago, Guangzhou have claimed the domestic double and are hoping to end China's 23-year wait for an Asian title. They take on the Mariners in the first leg of their round of 16 tie at 7.30pm. Central Coast Mariners v Guangzhou Evergrande 7.30pm at Bluetongue Stadium, Gosford TV: Fox Sports 3