Will the 'Italian legend' lead the Chinese national football team starting in September?
On the 29th (Korean time), the Chinese media outlet Sohu.com reported, “Fabio Cannavaro (51) has submitted documents to the Chinese Football Association,” noting, “He could potentially take over as head coach of the Chinese national football team as early as this September.”
Currently, the Chinese national team is in an interim setup. Dejan Juranovic, the head coach of the U-20 team, is serving as the acting head coach of the senior team. He will lead China in the 2025 East Asian Football Federation (EAFF) E-1 Championship (East Asian Cup) taking place in July in Korea. China will play its first match against Korea on the 7th and will face Japan and Hong Kong in succession.
The Chinese Football Association, having bought time until the East Asian Cup, is searching for a permanent head coach. Sohu.com reported, “The association is approaching the selection of this coach very cautiously. They are looking for a coach who can help Chinese football emerge from its crisis and lead long-term plans. In this situation, it is noted that the Italian master Cannavaro has clearly expressed his desire for the position of head coach of the Chinese national football team.”
Cannavaro, who was a defender during his playing days, made his professional debut in Italy with Napoli. He later played for Parma, Inter Milan, and Juventus. He received good reviews for his stable defense and quick judgment. During his time at Parma, he experienced victories in the Coppa Italia and UEFA Cup. After playing for Juventus in 2004, he participated in the 2006 World Cup in Germany as the captain of Italy, leading his country to victory and elevating himself to the ranks of world-class players.
Immediately after winning the World Cup in 2006, Cannavaro transferred to the prestigious Spanish club Real Madrid. The following year, he won both the Ballon d'Or and the FIFA World Player of the Year award. He was recognized as the world's best defender. He then announced his retirement from professional football in 2011 with Al Ahli.
Cannavaro has connections to China.
He began his coaching career in 2014 with Guangzhou Evergrande in the Chinese Super League. He then led Tianjin Quanjian to promotion to the first division, and upon returning to Guangzhou, he led the team to the league title in 2019. In 2019, he was appointed as the acting head coach of the Chinese national team but resigned after a short period.
On the 30th, well-known Chinese football journalist Xu Jiang noted, “Cannavaro applied for the head coach position of the Chinese national team not for the money, but because he needs an opportunity to prove himself.”
He added, “Cannavaro is aware that the salary he requested is lower than market expectations. He places great significance on the challenge of rescuing the Chinese national team from its crisis.”
Xu also claimed, “Cannavaro has not been able to find a team to return to in Europe. The only way for him to return to the mainstream is through the Chinese national football team.”
Some fans support Cannavaro, stating, “A sincere attitude is more important than making money.”
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