Fabio Cannavaro has been appointed Uzbekistan head coach and will lead the country to its first-ever World Cup finals campaign in North America next summer.
The 52-year-old, who made 136 appearances at the heart of Italy’s defense and led the Azzurri to victory at the 2006 World Cup, takes over from former Uzbekistan international Timur Kapadze.
Appointed manager in January when Srecko Katanec, who had been in the role for almost three and a half years, resigned on health grounds. Six months later, Kapadze completed the job started by the Slovenian coach when a goalless draw with Saudi Arabia secured qualification.
Which other managers were considered for the Uzbekistan job?
Joachim Löw, who won the 2014 Triumph World Cup in Brazil in Brazil, and former Portugal and South Korea coach Paulo Bento, were also considered for the role.
However, Cannavaro emerged as the preferred choice as Uzbekistan sought a more experienced coach to take over from Kapadze for the 2026 World Cup Finals campaign. The decision was announced by the Uzbekistan FA on social media.
“The Uzbekistan Football Association has signed a contract with Fabio Cannavaro—a renowned specialist, three-time FIFA World Cup participant, 2006 World Cup champion and one of the best defenders of the modern era,” read a statement from the National Association.
“The Italian coach will lead our national team in preparation for the FIFA World Cup to be held in the US, Canada and Mexico.”
Who is Fabio Cannavaro?
Cannavaro, who was sacked from his most recent role in April when he left Dinamo Zagreb after just 14 games, is widely regarded as one of the best centre-backs of the modern era.
The Italian won the Ballon d’Or in 2006 and played for Napoli, Parma, Juventus, Inter Milan and Real Madrid over a playing career that spanned two decades. He retired after a serious knee injury in July 2011, at which point he was just 16 games into a two-year contract with Dubai club Al-Ahl, with whom he subsequently began his coaching career.
Cannavaro continued in Saudi Arabia and China – where he was in charge of the national team for six weeks in 2019 – before spells with Benevento and Udinese. Cannavaro’s short stint at Dinamo Zagreb started last December.
He will be joined by compatriot Eugenio Albarella, who has previously worked with the Japanese national team as well as Juventus, Udinese and Dinamo Zagreb.
Francesco Troise, previously with Benevento, Udinese and Dinamo Zagreb, has been appointed fitness coach, while Antonio Chimenti, who has worked with Italy’s youth national teams, will also join Cannavaro’s squad as goalkeeper.
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