Fabio Cannavaro quits China; Marcello Lippi expected to return for World Cup 2022 qualification

Guangzhou Evergrande coach announces decision to step down from dual role in order to concentrate on club and family

Former boss Lippi only left in January after AFC Asian Cup exit but is expected to return just three months later with team 74th in rankings

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Guangzhou Evergrande head coach Fabio Cannavaro gives his team some pointers. Photo: AFP

Published: 11:21am, 29 Apr 2019Updated: 10:14pm, 29 Apr 2019

Fabio Cannavaro has ended his brief time in charge of China’s national team, according to posts on his social media accounts on Sunday night, while an Italian newspaper reported that Marcello Lippi is negotiating a sensational return to the role he left in January.

Former Italy international defender Cannavaro wrote in Chinese on Weibo, and in both Italian and English on his Instagram to confirm the end of his two-game tenure.

The post said that he would step down from the role to concentrate on his Chinese Super League side Guangzhou Evergrande.

“Out of respect for the country that has been hosting me for some years, I feel the duty to communicate that I have renounced my position as head coach of the Chinese national football team,” he wrote.

“I wish to sincerely thank Guangzhou Evergrande Football Club and the Chinese Football Association for having offered me the position of the head coach of the two most important football teams in the country; however this double assignment would take me away from my family for too long.