World Cup 2022 or bust for Lippi on China return

Marcello Lippi says he will quit for a second time if he fails to guide ambitious China to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

The 71-year-old Italian World Cup winner is back as coach of China just four months after leaving.

But with qualification for Qatar 2022 beginning in September, the under-pressure veteran has little time to lose if he is to inspire China to only their second World Cup appearance.

"Will we qualify for the Qatar World Cup? I don't know, we will try, we will make every effort," the former Juventus, Inter Milan, Napoli and Italy coach told broadcaster CCTV5.

"If we can do it, that's great, if we can't, I will embrace all the Chinese and go home," he added in his first substantive comments since his return was confirmed last week.

"This is work, this is life -- using all passion, all enthusiasm, all experience to try to do one thing, but the final result may be success or it may be failure."