Ex-Juventus coach Marcello Lippi revealed Sir Alex Ferguson “was almost like a brother” and that Roy Keane was close to joining the Bianconeri.
The two coaches exchanged gifts during Juve’s epic clashes against Manchester United in the 90’s.
“Yes, he was almost like a brother to me,” Lippi told Sportsmail.
“We exchanged many gifts. I brought him the Turin gianduiotti (chocolate) for his grandchildren, but he ate them in the end.
“Even the wine, the good one from my Tuscany. He loved sending me the Matrioskas, the Russian ones, with boxes in the boxes containing his 1971 Whiskey Maccallan. One day I have to call Alex and ask him for another box.
“He was in love with a wine he called ‘Tigno’. In reality it was called ‘Tignanello’ but he was convinced it was wrong. We made a bet and called the sommelier of that restaurant: I won! We used to send wine suggestions by mobile phone: he was a big fan.
“I loved Roy Keane. He was very close to moving to Juventus, but then failed to negotiate. I also loved Paul Scholes: he would have liked it anywhere and always played.
“ Solskjaer was very good as a player and I hope he will do very well as a Coach: he deserves it.
“Spurs? Yes, I was very close to Tottenham when I was coaching Juventus. They were very nice to me by contacting my son Davide.
“But I didn’t feel like leaving Turin and Juventus. For me, Juve was like Manchester United for Ferguson: a unique club that I loved to bits.
“I didn’t speak English well and that was also a reason I declined. Someone told me that Ferguson also didn’t speak English well because he was Scottish!”
