Serie A

World champion Cannavaro new Udinese coach

Italian first division club Udinese have signed Fabio Cannavaro as their new coach. The club made the announcement on Monday.

The 50-year-old takes over from Gabriele Coffi, who had to leave the club after three defeats in the last four games. The captain of the 2006 world champion team was initially given a contract until the end of June.

First Serie A stop for Cannavaro
This is Cannavaro's first spell in Serie A, having previously coached clubs in China and Saudi Arabia, the Chinese national team and, most recently, Serie B club Benevento. Udinese are currently in 17th place, level on points with 18th-placed Frosinone. This means that the team from Friuli is only separated from a relegation place by its better goal difference.