Talks between football coach Marcello Lippi and Ukraine on taking over the former Soviet republic's national team are split over the size of the Italian's paycheck, the TSN television channel reported Monday.

The Federation of Football of Ukraine (FFU) has offered the former head of Italy's national team 6.6 million dollars plus incentives for an 18-month contract, according to the report.

Lippi is demanding a minimum of 9.6 million dollars along with incentives, according to the report.

FFU officials contacted by telephone declined to comment.

Ukraine and co-hosts Poland are automatic qualifiers for the Euro 2012 championship.

Lippi led Italy to a 2006 World Cup victory, in the process knocking out Ukraine with a 3-0 drubbing in the quarter-finals.

The Italians however put in one of their worst-ever performances in the 2010 World Cup, and Lippi stepped down as the Azzurri's coach in May.

Ukraine failed to qualify for Euro 2008 and the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Ukraine along with fellow host nation Poland are automatic qualifiers for the Euro 2012 championship.

Yuriy Kalitvintsev took over as caretaker coach after his predecessor Myron Markeevich quit.

Kalitvintsev is popular with fans and since May has run up a solid record of four wins, four draws, and no defeats in a friendly matches including victories against Brazil and Romania.

Critics have nonetheless questioned Kalitvintsev's ability to organise a top-quality side, pointing to Ukraine's recent draws against Canada and Poland.

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