Italian footballer Marco Materazzi parts ways with Chennaiyin

Marco Materazzi

New Delhi: Italian football superstar Marco Materazzi will leave Chennaiyin FC after three seasons coaching the championship-winning team, the Indian club said yesterday. Materazzi led Chennaiyin FC to victory in their second season and is the most successful coach in the Indian Super League's (ISL) short history.

Materazzi - who was famously headbutted by French football icon Zinedine Zidane during Italy's 2006 World Cup win - also made seven appearances with the Indian club. "We thank Marco for three memorable seasons and wish him the very best for the future," the team's co-owners said in a statement.

Chennai hunt for coach
"Chennaiyin FC is already on the lookout for a new head coach." The ISL is one of two domestic leagues in India aiming to popularise football in the cricket-crazy nation. These past three seasons with Chennaiyin has been a great adventure on a sports and human level," Materazzi said, without disclosing details about his next move.

Marco grateful
"I leave the club today grateful to have been given the opportunity to contribute in my own modest way," Marco said.

Materazzi, who was part of Italy's 2006 World Cup winning team, also played a part in one of the most controversial moments in the game's history.