Fabio Cannavaro, the iconic figure of Italian football, assumes the helm as Udinese’s new coach following the dismissal of Gabriele Cioffi in a bid to stave off relegation from Serie A.
In an official announcement, Udinese revealed that Cannavaro has inked a contract until June 30, 2024, with the 2006 World Cup champion also enlisting his brother Paolo to join his coaching staff.
Cioffi’s departure came in the wake of Udinese’s 1-0 loss against fellow strugglers Verona last Saturday, leaving them tied on 28 points with Frosinone, who cling precariously just above the relegation zone.
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Former Ballon d’Or recipient Cannavaro, aged 50, will take the reins on Thursday as Udinese resume their home clash against Roma, picking up from where it left off with the teams deadlocked at 1-1. The match was halted when Roma defender Evan Ndicka collapsed on the field, initially sparking fears of a cardiac issue. Subsequent examinations, however, diagnosed Ndicka with “a thoracic trauma with minimal left pneumothorax.”
Cannavaro’s coaching journey has seen him traverse the Gulf and China, where he clinched the Super League title in 2019, before a brief stint at lower-league side Benevento last season.
Udinese faces a challenging run-in, including fixtures against Bologna, Napoli, and the formidable Lecce, before crucial relegation showdowns with Empoli and Frosinone in the closing stages of the season.