Udinese has decided to part ways with head coach Gabriele Cioffi and appointed former Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro to guide the team away from relegation trouble. Udinese is currently hovering just above the relegation zone, separated by goal difference, after securing only one win in their last eight matches. This marks the third managerial change for the club this season, which began under Andrea Sottil.
Fabio Cannavaro, a former Ballon d’Or and World Cup winner, takes on the challenge of keeping Udinese in Serie A. He signed a contract that runs until the end of the season, shortly after Cioffi’s departure was confirmed.
Cioffi had returned to the club for a second tenure in October after Andrea Sottil left, but the team’s performance remained lackluster, with only four wins from 23 matches. The 1-0 loss to Hellas Verona on Sunday, another team fighting to avoid relegation, left Udinese clinging to safety by goal difference.
Cannavaro will begin his tenure with a unique situation, as Udinese’s match against AS Roma will be completed on Thursday due to a prior health scare involving Roma defender Evan Ndicka.
This Serie A role is Cannavaro’s first coaching position in Italy. His previous stint in Italian football ended with him being let go by Benevento in February 2023, while the club struggled in Serie B. Since then, Cannavaro has managed teams in China, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia, securing titles with Al-Ahli, Guangzhou Evergrande, and Tianjin Quanjian, and briefly coaching China’s national team.
Cannavaro’s first complete match as Udinese’s head coach will be against Bologna on Sunday, followed by matches against Napoli, Lecce, Empoli, and Frosinone to conclude the season.
Benvenuto, Fabio Cannavaro!
⚪️⚫️ #ForzaUdinese #AlèUdin #WelcomeCannavaro pic.twitter.com/uwTZtCuq99
Advertisement— Udinese Calcio (@Udinese_1896) April 22, 2024
