Italian World Cup winner Fabio Cannavaro has officially been named as the new coach of Udinese until the end of the season
The appointment comes after Gabriele Cioffi was relieved of his duties following the Friulani’s 1-0 defeat to Hellas Verona on Saturday – a result which leaves the club hovering dangerously above the Serie A relegation zone having won just four matches the entire campaign.
They have now turned to former defender Cannavaro, who has been out of work since being sacked by Benevento in February 2023.
Cannavaro captained Italy to their 2006 World Cup triumph as a player, winning the Ballon d’Or the same year.
He retired from playing in 2011 after enjoying an envious career and went into coaching in Asia.
His coaching career has so far seen him take charge of Dubai’s Al-Ahli, Saudi Arabia’s Al-Nassr, as well as Chinese Super League outfits Tianjin Quanjian, Guangzhou Evergrande and the Chinese national team prior to his Benevento stint.
Cannavaro has six matches remaining to save Udinese from relegation, beginning with next Sunday’s trip to face Bologna.
He will be in charge when Udinese finish their match against Roma by playing the remaining 18 minutes on Thursday.
The original game was suspended with the score at 1-1 after Roma player Evan Ndicka collapsed on the pitch.
The Ivory Coast defender was later released from hospital, with Roma saying the 24-year-old had experienced chest pains on the pitch but did not have a heart attack.