Fabio Cannavaro has stepped down from his role as coach of the Chinese Men’s National football team. The former FIFA World Player of the Year took charge of the side for just two matches, both of which were losses, in the aftermath of former manager Marcello Lippi’s resignation three months ago.
Cannavaro made the announcement on Weibo on April 28, stating that his decision to step down from his role as coach of the national team came as he wishes to spend more time with his family. In his announcement, which was also posted on his Instagram account, he wrote “I wish to sincerely thank Guangzhou Evergrande Football Club and the Chinese Football Association for having offered me the position of the Head Coach of the two most important football teams in the country; however this double assignment would take me away from my family for too long.”
Screengrab via @fabiocannavaroofficial/Instagram
Cannavaro’s brief stint as China manager was anything but successful as the squad lost 1-0 to Thailand and Uzbekistan, who are ranked No. 114 and No. 85 on the world FIFA rankings respectively. The Chinese national team also fell to No. 74 in the world rankings during Cannavaro’s tenure.
The former Italian team captain now turns his attention back to Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao, who failed to secure the Chinese Super League title for the first time in seven years in 2018. In the wake of his resignation, speculation has been rife about the return of Marcello Lippi at the helm of the China national team.
Lippi led China for two years and four months, before resigning in January 2019. His win-rate with the squad was underwhelming to say the least, with the team picking up just 10 wins from his 30 games in charge.
[Cover image via @fabiocannavaroofficial/Instagram]
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