Fabio Cannavaro has landed his first coaching job in Europe after working in China for several years. The winner of the Ballon d’Or in 2006 reportedly signs for two years with Serie B club Benevento. He replaces Fabio Caserta, who received his congé after two defeats in a row and a thirteenth place in the competition.
Last Monday, as Black Monday titled in the Serie B, because no fewer than four clubs got rid of their trainers: Como, Perugia, Pisa and therefore Benevento. The Benevento job will be Cannavaro’s first managerial job in Europe and therefore also in Italy. In recent years he has led, among others, Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia and Guangzhou Evergrande and Tianjin Quanjian in China and the Chinese national team.
The former defender replaces Caserta, who was at the helm of Benevento for just over a year. In total, he was on the bench for 50 games, winning 23, drawing 10 and losing 17. Last year Benevento finished in seventh place in the Serie B. At the moment, the club occupies thirteenth place with seven points from six games.
Cannavaro, who captained Italy to the world championship in 2006, is reportedly signing for two years and has previously spoken to President Oreste Vigorito. “Benevento Calcio is pleased to announce that it has entrusted the role of first-team coach to Mr Fabio Cannavaro,” the club’s official statement read. Cannavaro will be presented to the press on Thursday 22 September at 5 pm in the Palazzo Paolo V in Benevento. Cannavaro also includes fitness coach Jordi García, with whom he previously worked in China, and his brother Paolo on his staff.