Udinese Appoints Fabio Cannavaro as New Coach in a Bid for Serie A Survival

Udinese has decided to dismiss Gabriele Cioffi. The decisive factor was the defeat against Hellas Verona last Friday, in a direct clash that significantly complicated the Friulians' race for survival. This also ends Cioffi's second spell in charge of the black and white club, after his first experience in 2022.

The Verona wins at the last minute the survival clash with Udinese: Coppola's header at the 93rd minute is decisive

Cioffi Out, Cannavaro Comes to Udinese

This year he was called back in October, to replace Andrea Sottil. Now only the official announcement is missing, but Udinese has chosen to replace him with Fabio Cannavaro. The former World Champion is about to undertake his first experience in Serie A as a coach. In the last few hours, the Friulian club had also explored the possibilities with Reja and Stramaccioni but seems to have opted for the former Juventus and Real Madrid defender. The Pozzo family has decided to entrust Cannavaro with the salvation mission 5 games from the end, even though Fabio will debut in the recovery match on April 25th against Roma, in what will effectively be a mini match of twenty minutes.

Cannavaro has already coached in Italy but only in Serie B, when he took over the Benevento bench in September 2022, following the dismissal of Caserta. Interestingly, his first victory at the helm of the Campania club came precisely against SPAL of Daniele De Rossi (November 12, 2-1) who will face each other in the stoppage time of Udinese-Roma in four days. He was dismissed on February 4th, along with the sports director Pasquale Foggia. As a coach, Cannavaro has a curriculum almost exclusively abroad, between China and Saudi Arabia, even as the coach of the Chinese national team.

The Agreement Only for Six Matches

The agreement with the World Champion and Ballon d'Or 2006 will, however, be valid only until the end of the sports season, having signed a contract until June 30th. An assignment for five matches and the 19' plus stoppage time of the interrupted match with Roma. Cannavaro will be assisted by his brother Paolo as assistant coach and Francesco Troise as technical collaborator. The staff also includes the Udinese flag, Giampiero Pinzi. The presentation will take place tomorrow at the Bluenergy Stadium.