Fabio Cannavaro, the Italian World Cup-winning captain, has been appointed as the new head coach of Serie A club Udinese for the remainder of the 2023-24 season. This decision comes after the team’s last-minute defeat to Hellas Verona and marks the third managerial change of the season for Udinese. Cannavaro replaces Gabriele Cioffi, who oversaw 24 matches and won only four times, leaving the team in 17th place, just above the relegation zone.
Cannavaro will make his debut as Udinese’s head coach in a match against AS Roma, which was suspended in April due to a player’s on-field collapse. With the scores tied at 1-1, the match will resume in the 72nd minute, where Cannavaro will face his former Italy teammate Daniele De Rossi. Cannavaro, known as one of the best defenders of all time, brings his coaching experience from the United Arab Emirates and China, where he won various trophies, including being named the 2017 Chinese Football Association Coach of the Year.
The new Udinese coach has signed a contract until the end of the season and will be assisted by Francesco Troise and his younger brother Paolo, both former colleagues from his time in China. Giampiero Pinzi, a former Udinese midfielder, has also joined the technical staff. The club expressed confidence in Cannavaro’s abilities to lead them to safety from relegation, citing his technical and leadership qualities as key factors in their decision to appoint him.
Udinese, owned by Italian businessman Giampaolo Pozzo, has had a turbulent history, including three demotions, the last of which was in 1994. Despite some successes in the past, such as qualifying for the UEFA Champions League, the team has struggled in recent years and currently sits near the bottom of the Serie A table. Cannavaro’s appointment comes at a crucial time for the club, as they aim to avoid relegation and secure their place in the top flight.
With just five matches and 18 minutes left in the season, every point is crucial for Udinese, who have struggled to score goals this season and have been kept scoreless in multiple matches. Cannavaro’s preferred 3-5-2 formation and his experience as a player and coach could prove beneficial in turning Udinese’s fortunes around. The upcoming match against Roma will be a test of Cannavaro’s abilities and will give him the opportunity to make an immediate impact in his new role.
Cannavaro’s appointment is part of a trend in Serie A of former 2006 World Cup winners taking up managerial positions, with Daniele De Rossi and Alberto Gilardino also managing top-flight teams. For Cannavaro, this opportunity represents a chance to prove himself as a capable coach and establish a successful career at the highest level. As he steps into the role at Udinese, all eyes will be on Cannavaro to see if he can lead the team to safety and potentially secure his future as a top-level manager in Italian football.
