Another world champion rejects UFA’s offer

Reports spread on social media that the leadership of the Uzbekistan Football Association (UFA) traveled to Italy to hold talks with Fabio Cannavaro, the 2006 World Cup champion and Ballon d’Or winner. According to available information, the Italian specialist has rejected UFA’s offer. This was reported by Sport-Express, citing sources close to Cannavaro.

The publication writes that the 52-year-old coach refused to take charge of the Uzbekistan national team. A source close to the coach confirmed this, adding that Cannavaro is hoping to secure a job with one of the Serie A clubs if a current head coach there is dismissed.

After ending his playing career, Fabio Cannavaro managed clubs in the Middle East and China. In 2019, he was appointed head coach of the Chinese national team. From 2022 to 2023, he worked as head coach of Italy’s Benevento club. In April 2024, Cannavaro took charge of Udinese (Italy) for a short period. Afterwards, he also served as head coach of Croatia’s Dinamo Zagreb. He is currently unemployed.

It is worth noting that the UFA leadership has long been searching for a new head coach for the national team. Before Cannavaro, the names of Paulo Bento, Fatih Terim, and Joachim Low were also considered. However, both Low and Bento declined the offer to take charge of the Uzbekistan national team.

Currently, the team is being led by Timur Kapadze. Ahead of the CAFA Nations Cup 2025, he confirmed at a press conference that the UFA intends to appoint an experienced specialist who has appeared at the World Cup to lead the national side.