Cannavaro headed for double trouble?
Fabio Cannavaro’s ability to juggle his dual role as coach of China and Guangzhou Evergrande will face immediate scrutiny at the China Cup this week in Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region.
The Italian was last week appointed as compatriot Marcello Lippi’s successor in the national team job, but eyebrows were raised after it transpired that the 45-year-old will continue his work with Evergrande.
Cannavaro faces his first test when China takes on Thailand in its China Cup opener on Thursday. Regardless of that result, some observers fear the dual role is not a viable long-term option.
“If Cannavaro takes the two positions at the same time for a long period, it will be a test of energy for the Italian,” wrote Xinhua soccer reporter Gong Bing.
“In terms of the long-term development of Chinese soccer, it’s unprecedented that the national team coach is also a club coach in China. It might mean that Cannavaro will quit one job in the future.
“Eight Evergrande players joined the national team and their head coach is the same person, which makes Evergrande appear like a quasi-national team.
“In the short term, this is a bold experiment to help Team China produce better results in qualifying for the next World Cup. In the long term, it shows that the development of the national team and professional Chinese soccer need comprehensive planning and synergetic development.”
While the dual role could be considered unconventional, the manner of Cannavaro’s appointment was stranger still, with the news only emerging after the former Italy defender’s name appeared on China’s squad list for the invitational tournament in Nanning.
With no media conference to announce the appointment, many questions remain about Cannavaro’s position, including the length of his contract and size of his salary.
A Chinese Football Association statement on Weibo last Friday revealed little.
“The decision to appoint Cannavaro as the head coach of Team China to compete in the China Cup was made based on many factors, including his personal experience, tactical styles and his familiarity with Chinese players,” said the CFA statement.
“To prepare for the 2022 World Cup and the long-term development of Chinese soccer, the coaching team will also make a list of 50 to 60 key players. The CFA will build a national tactical team to monitor and help the daily training and physical condition of the players in order to provide the coach with data and information for selection.”
Cannavaro will also have Lippi’s input after the veteran, who spent just over two rather uninspiring years as Team China coach until January, was retained as an adviser by the CFA.
On the playing side, though, it has been out with the old, with Cannavaro jettisoning veterans such as 39-year-old captain Zheng Zhi and introducing the likes of Zheng’s 23-year-old Evergrande teammate He Chao for the China Cup.
“Players can make mistakes in training and competitions, but the head coach told us not to lose the feeling of hunger which is the main quality needed for winning games,” midfielder He said at China’s training session last Saturday.
“It’s my second time to play at the China Cup. I wish to have more playing time. I hope to have better performances in the national team.”
He also revealed that Cannavaro has banned cellphones from the team meal table in a bid to improve communication between the players.
China overcame Thursday’s opponent Thailand in the last 16 at the Asian Cup, where Lippi’s squad exited at the quarterfinal stage.
Cannavaro will attempt to repeat that feat without star striker Wu Lei, who has been granted leave as he continues to settle in at Spanish side Espanyol.
Wu signed for the La Liga club in January, and a CFA statement said: “Wu Lei has just arrived at Espanyol and he’s still fitting into the team, so Wu will not be called back for the China Cup.”
Uzbekistan takes on defending champion Uruguay in the invitational tournament’s other semifinal on Friday.
The final and a third-place playoff are scheduled to take place on Monday.