Cannavaro Is Coming to the National Team? Chinese Football Association, West Meeting...Local fans' responses are cold
Sep 30, 2025
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Multiple Chinese and Italian local media reported on the 29th (Korea time) 'Chinese Football Association officials recently visited Italy and had a meeting with Cannavaro.' Director Cannavaro was initially known to have rejected China's offer, but the fact that Chinese association officials flew to Italy and met him can only be interpreted as having many meanings.
However, the reactions between China and Italy are contradictory. Xiaozhan, a reporter for China's Beijing Youth Daily, said "There are more than 50 candidates for director. I will not make a hasty decision" he said, drawing attention to the fact that the appointment of a director would still be in progress. Repay may have inflated the situation from Cannavaro's side. After the Korea Football Association selects candidates, it will have an interview in China." On the contrary, in Italy, which reported the news of Cannavaro's negotiations, his inauguration of the Chinese national team is considered a fait accompli.
Cannavaro, who was considered the world's best defender when he was active, began his leadership career as head coach Al Ahli in 2013. Afterwards, he took the lead of Guangzhou Hengda and stepped on the Chinese stage, following the lead of his teacher Marcelo Lippi. Cannavaro was appointed as the interim head coach of the Chinese national team in 2019 and played A matches twice.
However, the overall leadership career was not very good. After leaving China, he took the helm of Benevento in 2022, but was dismissed without completing a season. Since then, he seemed to be re-examined when he took the helm of Udinese and rescued the team from the relegation zone, but he voluntarily resigned from Dinamo Zagreb last year due to poor performance.
Chinese fans' response to the news of Cannavaro's inauguration is cold. In the comment section of Tencent in China, the main content is that "'Cannabaro is not capable of leading the national team'. The opinion that "Leave the team to domestic leaders such as Gao Gongbo and Pan Zhiyi instead of foreign coaches" is also notable.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
