FABIO CANNAVARO is set to lead Uzbekistan as their manager in next year’s World Cup.
The iconic Italian football figure, aged 52, will guide the team currently ranked 54th by FIFA into their inaugural World Cup appearance.
Fabio Cannavaro has been without a position since Dinamo Zagreb released him in April.
Cannavaro captained Italy to victory in the 2006 World Cup.
Since retiring in 2011, Cannavaro has transitioned from an elegant defender to a traveling manager.
His most recent role at Dinamo Zagreb was cut short, but that hasn’t deterred Uzbek football officials from bringing him on board for their most significant tournament to date.
Fabrizio Romano reports that a verbal agreement is in place for Cannavaro to lead Uzbekistan’s World Cup campaign.
The former center-back led Italy to World Cup success in 2006 and became only the third defender to receive the Ballon d’Or later that same year.
However, he has not replicated that level of success in his managerial career.
Cannavaro began his coaching journey in China and Saudi Arabia before returning to Italy.
He had brief tenures at Benevento and Udinese, followed by a short stint with Croatian club Zagreb, which lasted just over three months.
None of Cannavaro’s last four positions extended beyond 17 matches.
Nonetheless, he brings substantial World Cup experience to the Uzbekistan team.
The former star will oversee a team that secured second place in Asian qualifying Group A, finishing two points behind Iran.
With only one loss in their ten qualifying matches, Cannavaro will aim to maintain their strong form.
Uzbekistan finished second in their World Cup qualifying group.
