Fabio Cannavaro is returning to Guangzhou Evergrande as the club's new head coach, with his rumored re-appointment confirmed by the CSL champions on Thursday.
He replaces Luiz Felipe Scolari, who led Evergrande to three Chinese Super League titles and an AFC Champions League crown during his time with the club.
“After discussion, we have decided to appoint Fabio Cannavaro as the head coach of Guangzhou Evergrande Taobao Football Club,” read an official statement.
Cannavaro had previously been in charge at Evergrande, replacing Marcello Lippi at the end of 2014, but lasted just seven months after defensive deficiencies and injury problems derailed Evergrande’s season.
The return will not come without substantial pressure for Cannavaro, with the club's owner laying down the gauntlet for his new manager.
“Our target next year is to claim the club’s eighth successive title and the treble," Evergrande owner Xu Jiayin said at a press conference. "We want to win the CSL, the AFC Champions League and the FA Cup.”
The World Cup winner rebuilt his reputation in China with Tianjin Quanjian, signing on as manager at the start of 2016 before steering them to the second division title. The 44-year-old helped the club to a third place finish in the CSL and an AFC Champions League berth this season.
Former Fiorentina coach Paulo Sousa has been announced as Cannavaro's replacement as Tianjin Quanjian boss.
-min.png?auto=webp&format=pjpg&width=640&quality=60)