FABIO CANNAVARO is heading to next year’s World Cup as manager of Uzbekistan.
The Italian football legend, 52, will lead the team ranked 54th by FIFA into their first ever World Cup.
Cannavaro has gone from classy defender to journeyman manager since retiring in 2011.
And his last job – at Dinamo Zagreb – ended six months ago when he was swiftly axed.
But that hasn’t put Uzbek football bosses off bringing him on board for the biggest tournament they will have ever played.
Fabrizio Romano claims that a verbal agreement is in place for Cannavaro to spearhead Uzbekistan’s World Cup project.
The former centre-back captained Italy to World Cup glory in 2006 and became only the third defender to win the Ballon d’Or later that year.
But he hasn’t enjoyed the same level of success since taking to the dugout.
Cannavaro took his first steps as a head coach in China and Saudi Arabia before heading back to his homeland.
Brief stints at Benevento and Udinese preceded a spell with Croatian side Zagreb, which lasted just over three months.
None of Cannavaro’s last four gigs have extended beyond 17 games.
But he does bring significant World Cup pedigree to the Uzbekistan camp.
The former Juventus and Real Madrid star will take charge of a side that finished second in Asian qualifying Group A, two points behind Iran.
With only one defeat in those 10 qualifying games, Cannavaro will be tasked with continuing their promising form.
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